DOTr orders LTFRB’s Guadiz to explain alleged corruption, irregularities

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz lll speaks during the press briefing on fuel subsidy and fare hike petitions for Public Utility Vehicles (PUV). The forum was held at LTFRB central office in Quezon City. (File photo from Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday ordered Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz to explain the irregularities and corruption allegations plaguing his agency.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said his office had started probing the allegations and issued a notice for Guadiz to respond to the charges.

The LTFRB head was accused of misconduct concerning the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB,” Bautista said in a statement.

“While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [Chairman Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” he added.

When asked for his reaction, Guadiz said his agency is open to helping government resolve the issues.

“Kagaya nga po nang dati na nating ginagawa, patuloy po nating aayusin at titiyakin na mananatili tayong patas sa paglilingkod sa ating mga stakeholder,” he said in a press conference also held on Monday.

(As we have always done, we will continue to put things in order and ensure that we remain fair in serving our stakeholders.)

“As of this morning, nasa opisina naman ako at wala pa po akong nalalaman na anumang opisyal na (complaint na) inihain laban po sa atin,” he said.

(I’m just in my office and I have not received or heard about any complaint filed against me.)

“Pero kung mayroon man, haharapin naman po natin ito dahil malinis po ang ating kalooban,” he added.

(But if there is one, we will face it because our character is clean.)

In a separate media briefing by the transport group Manibela, former LTFRB executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado revealed the reported plans of Guadiz about an alleged “lagayan (bribe) scheme.”

Tumbado was an executive assistant to Guadiz and he resigned just last month.

The former LTFRB official alleged that among the reported ‘under-the-table’ transactions done within the agency were in the modifications of routes, order of priority for franchise papers, and the issuance of special permits.

Tumbado said each reported illegal transaction costs about P5 million, allegedly paid in two installments.

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