LTFRB exec accused of taking P4.6-M bribe

Samuel Jardin

A high-ranking official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) was suspended for 90 days effective on Thursday after he allegedly demanded and received P4.6 million from an applicant for a public utility vehicle franchise.

Another official, however, was also implicated in an affidavit that was among the documents gathered by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Samuel Jardin, LTFRB executive director and head of the pre-accreditation committee, was ordered suspended in a letter signed by Transport Undersecretary for Administration Artemio Tuazon Jr.  He was also asked to submit his response to the allegations within three days.

Accuser’s allegation

Based on the affidavit, Jardin solicited P4.8 million from Michelle Sapangila who was applying for a certificate of public convenience.

The LTFRB executive director allegedly ended up receiving a total of P4.6 million.

Tuazon told Jardin in a letter that the allegations against him “constituted administrative charges of grave misconduct; receiving for personal use a valuable thing in the course of official duties wherein such gift was given in the expectation of receiving favorable treatment; and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.”

Sapangila had claimed that she personally delivered P100,000 to Jardin’s office and gave the rest of the money to a certain Madame Lolit who was one of his staffers.

She said in her complaint that P1.5 million of the P4.6 million bribe was for LTFRB chair Martin Delgra III.

Sapangila, however, did not say if Delgra received his supposed share.

Jardin, in a brief statement to the Inquirer, flatly denied her allegations and said he would respond to the charges against him while serving his suspension.

Malicious, double hearsay

The Inquirer also contacted Delgra for comment. He denied “the malicious allegations” which he described as double hearsay.

“I suggest you confront the confessed briber and her accomplice,” he said, adding that he did not feel the need to respond to Sapangila’s allegations since her story was “full of holes.”

As both executive director and head of the preaccreditation committee, Jardin oversaw the issuance and approval of franchise applications and even applications for accreditation from transport network companies. If found guilty, he could be terminated from the service.

DOTr warning

In a statement issued on Thursday, the DOTr reiterated “its stern warning that disciplinary action shall come swift and unrelenting to any official or employee, no matter the rank, for the slightest hint of corruption.” It did not mention any names.

Over a hundred employees in the transport sector have been penalized so far over corrupt practices, according to latest DOTr figures.