DOTr chief Bautista, 2 congressmen linked to 'LTFRB graft'

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and two congressmen have been linked to alleged corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras" on Tuesday, transport group Manibela president Mar Valbuena said the whistleblower, Jeff Tumbado, alleged that suspended LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III delivered corruption money to Bautista.

"Pa-pogi ito ni Chairman Guadiz. Dinadala po ito kay Secretary Bautista at ang sinasabi daw sa kanila dadalhin ito sa Malacañang...Pampa-pogi daw po para maging malakas sila at hindi sila matanggal at tuloy-tuloy kanilang pagkakaupo sa puwesto nila," Valbuena said.

Tumbado claimed that Guadiz told him two congressmen were also in on the collection of P5 million from transactions such as the opening of new routes or franchises.

He also alleged that every LTFRB regional director was required to remit a monthly quota of P2 million, bringing the monthly collection to P30 million.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday suspended Guadiz after the allegations came out.

Bautista has denied any involvement in the alleged graft and said he didn't allow corruption in the DOTr.

He said the evidence must be presented following the accusation.

Valbuena said the LTFRB regional directors should have also been suspended, and that the DOTr should not be the agency to investigate the allegations.

"Kung ang DOTr po na sinasangkot ang mag-iimbestiga, hindi tayo makakaasa na magiging patas yung imbestigasyon," said Valbuena.

Other transport groups are also calling for an independent investigation.

Meanwhile, Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said he had yet to hear about or experience extortion in the LTFRB. He also claimed that it was Tumbado whom he had heard to have been involved in corruption.

“Kaya siya tinanggal ni Chairman Jojo Guadiz nahuli siya na gumagawa ng korupsyon. Sinuspend siya e, gumawa na siya ng mga alegasyon,” Martin said.

Tumbado has not yet issued a response.

Still, he maintained that coming forward was his own personal decision, and that nobody asked him to expose the alleged corruption.

He also said he has no connection with Manibela and that Guadiz's suspension saddened him.

Tumbado also said that he has not yet named any person in the allegations.

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get a statement from the suspended LTFRB chairman.

On Tuesday, Bautista designated LTFRB board member Mercy Paras Leynes as OIC chairperson of the agency from October 10, 2023 to October 9, 2024. —Sherylin Untalan/NB/BM, GMA Integrated News