Wrong address? NBI fails to serve subpoena to LTFRB whistleblower

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) failed to deliver the subpoena to the supposed whistleblower on the anomalies at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) due to the wrong address in his affidavit, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Friday.

“I can confirm that though a subpoena was issued, it could not have been served due to the incorrect address of Mr. Tumbado’s affidavit,” Justice Assistant Secretary and DOJ Spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano told reporters.

Last Monday, Jefferson Tumbado, a former executive assistant at the LTFRB, alleged that money has been changing hands in exchange for route modifications, prioritization of franchise papers, and special permits.

READ: LTFRB chair‘s former assistant exposes ‘lagayan scheme’

However, three days after the press conference, he recanted his allegations and issued a sworn affidavit claiming that his previous allegations were “unintentional” and “misguided.”

Tumbado also apologized to suspended LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and the Office of the President.

Still, the NBI’s Anti-Graft Division continued with its probe.

Clavano said in an attempt to serve the subpoena, “NBI obtained a certification that no such address exists. Now, NBI is in the process of serving another subpoena to the right address. This will delay the process a little bit as he was supposed to appear Monday if he had put the right address.”

Still, Clavao said Tumbado “can still reach out to the NBI if he is willing to still appear on Monday.”

Sought for comment, Tumbado said it was the correct address. However, the subpoena was not accepted because his landlord did not know his real name.

“Yung sinasabi nilang hindi correct yung address, noong inissue yung subpoena, wala ako. Nandoon yung address ko, hindi lang tinanggap ng landlord kasi nga hindi alam ang tunay kong pangalan,” Tumbado told INQUIRER.net.

(They say that the address is not correct, but when the subpoena was issued, I wasn’t there. My address was there, but the landlord didn’t accept it because they didn’t know my real name.)

He said the subpoena was addressed to his complete name “Jefferson Gallos Tumbado” but the contract with his landlord states “Jeff Tumbado.”

He said he believed another subpoena was sent to his house in his province. He said the subpoena was served only Friday afternoon.

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