Senators perplexed by recantation of LTFRB ‘whistleblower’

Suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz (File picture)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Thursday emphasized the need to investigate a whistleblower’s retraction of corruption allegations against Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

They expressed their sentiments after LTFRB former senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado on Monday revealed alleged corrupt activities happening within the board.

He had bared that he and now-suspended LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz first started having discussions on how they could “benefit” from the “lagayan scheme” in March.

Tumbado had also accused other agencies and Malacanang of being involved.

Merely two days later, Tumbado issued an affidavit of recantation.

This time, he claimed while there were anomalies within LTFRB, his allegations were “unintentional and misguided.”

But Senator Grace Poe, who heads Senate committee on public services, is not convinced.

She questioned what made Tumbado recant his allegations.

The senator believes he should be sued if his allegations turned out to be baseless.

“Kaduda duda na nag retract. Ano ang tunay na dahilan na binawi ito?” she asked in a message to reporters.

(It is suspicious that he retracted. What is the reason why it was withdrawn?)

“Dapat imbestigahan. Bakit niya binawi ang kanyang salaysay?” she wondered.

(It should be investigated. Why did he retract his statement?)

“Kasuhan sya kung walang basehan at tingnan kung may nag udyok sa kanya na bawiin ang kanyang mga naging alegasyon,” she said.

(He should be charged if there is no basis, and and see if there are persons who goaded him to retract his allegations.)

“Sabi nga, kung may usok, malamang may nasusunog,” she added.

(As they say, where there’s smoke, there’s likely to be fire.)

She, then, expressed hope that more legitimate whistleblowers will testify against any anomalies within government.

She said Senate will protect informants.

Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel shared Poe’s views.

He maintained, regardless of the recantation, the accusations should still be investigated.

“Pag walang mag take charge, then the Senate should come in because of the public interest issue,” said Pimentel.

(If no one takes charge, then, Senate should step in due to the public involved.)

“If no one seriously pursues this issue, then, I will file a resolution for the Senate to investigate this,” he resolved.

When the allegations surfaced, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz from his post.

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