MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct its own probe on the alleged corrupt practices and activities plaguing the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Bautista said on Wednesday that he had already sent a letter to NBI requesting an independent probe on the case following reports linking his agency and some congressmen to suspended chairman Teofilo Guadiz III’s alleged corruption.
“Sumulat ako sa NBI requesting for an independent investigation. Mas mabuti kung independent [sila] na mag-imbestiga; ‘di lang ang DOTr (Department of Transportation), kasi may allegations na napupunta daw ang pera sa DOTr, sa mga congressman,” Bautista said in an interview with Radyo 630.
(I wrote to NBI requesting an independent investigation. It’s better if they are the ones who investigate this. Besides the DOTr, there are allegations that some congressmen are receiving money too.)
On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz from his post as head of the LTFRB.
Guadiz’s suspension came after former senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado exposed the alleged plans on the “lagayan (bribe) scheme” and under-the-table transactions of the board, such as modifications of routes, prioritization of franchise papers, and special permits.
Tumbado said that each illegal transaction costs about P5 million, paid in two installments.
According to Bautista, he learned about the allegations last October 6 and asked Guadiz to meet him last October 9 so that the chairman could explain himself. But Guadiz declined to meet him due to a prior appointment or checkup.
Contrary to this, Guadiz attended a press conference on the same day, saying that he did not receive any complaint or hear of news regarding the allegations concerning him but assured that he was ready to face them.
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