Solon asks law enforcers: Stop outdated probe methods, use modern evidence-gathering
MANILA, Philippines — Solons scolded former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) employee Jeff Tumbado for claiming corruption on a whim after he admitted that he implicated a former official out of his ill feelings.
At the House committee hearing on transportation on Monday, Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting asked Tumbado why he accused former LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III of being involved in corruption issues within the agency.
Tumbado said last October 9 that Guadiz was part of a scheme where they were seeking money in exchange for franchises and alteration of routes. Two days after, though, Tumbado recanted his allegations.
Regarding his proof, Tumbado told the House panel that transport groups had approached him to ask for help facilitating franchise applications — hence his hunch that corruption exists. However, he admitted that he did not know directly about Guadiz’s involvement in corruption schemes.
“Ngayon, ang tanong ko po, bakit ho niyo unang sinabi na may korapsyon at sa pangalawa, ay tinanggal niyo — ang kaibahan lang naman ng una at ‘yong pinag-uusapan natin ay wala si Atty. Guadiz. Pero parehong may korapsyon. Bakit ho ninyo sinama muna si Atty. Guadiz no’ng una?” Tambunting asked.
(Now, my question is, why did you say that there is corruption? Second, you did not include Guadiz — the difference between the first and second statements is that you omitted Atty. Guadiz’s name. But in both instances, there is corruption. Why did you include Atty. Guadiz in the first statement?)
READ: Marcos suspends LTFRB chief Guadiz, orders corruption probe
“Base po doon sa mga nilalapit at sinusumbong ng mga operators, na para po mapabilis ‘yong kanilang ‘pag proseso ng papel, eh hindi na po sila makapag-tiis o makapag-antay ng mahaba pang panahon, nagbibigay po sila. Pero hindi po ako direkta o wala po akong kaalaman, direktang kaalaman, na sangkot si Chairman Guadiz po dito sa korapsyong ito,” Tumbado added.
(This is based on the complaints from the operators; for the processing of papers to be quicker — since they cannot wait for the long process — they give bribe money. But I am not aware of any direct knowledge of the involvement of Chairman Guadiz in this corruption scheme.)
According to Tumbado, he felt terrible towards Guadiz — his former boss — as the latter did not listen to his side during a dispute with another LTFRB executive assistant. Tumbado later claimed that the other executive assistant collected bribes from colorum public vehicles.
“No’ng panahon po na ‘yon eh masama po ang loob ko sa ginawa niyang, hindi sa pagpapakinig o mag-explanation sa kanya bakit gano’n nauwi sa sitwasyon na iyon dahil hindi po ako pinakinggan ni Chairman Guadiz para magpaliwanag bakit nagkaroon ng issue kami no’ng kanyang Executive Assistant II,” Tumbado noted.
(During that time, I felt terrible because Chairman Guadiz did not listen to the clarifications or explanations I wanted to raise about why we arrived at the situation with his Executive Assistant II.)
“At dahil po do’n, masama loob niyo, inakusahan niyo si Atty. Guadiz ng korapsyon? ‘Yon lang?” Tambunting asked again.
(And just because of that, you accused Atty. Guadiz of corruption? That only?)
“Yes, your Honor,” Tumbado replied.
When asked whether he has evidence to prove that massive corruption is hounding LTFRB, Tumbado said it is just his opinion — leading Tambunting and other lawmakers to question why they would believe the whistleblower.
“So wala kayong pruweba kay Atty. Guadiz. Tanong, may pruweba ba kayo na malaki ang korapsyon sa LTFRB?” Tambuting asked.
(So you do not have any proof that Atty. Guadiz is involved. The question is, do you have evidence that there is a huge corruption issue within LTFRB?)
“Wala your Honor, opinyon ko lamang po ‘yon (None your honor, that’s just my opinion),” Tumbado answered.
“Nako, boss, bibigyan mo kami ng opinyon niyo na wala kayong pruweba? Sinayang niyo ‘yong oras ng mga kongresista, na pumasok kami dito mas que break po namin, at ngayon eh sasabihin niyo lang. Wala ho kayong pruweba, wala ho kayong pinanghahawakan na pruweba?” Tambunting asked again.
(That’s a problem, boss; you’re giving us such an opinion that you do not have any proof of? You just wasted lawmakers’ time, as we went here during a break, and now you would say it’s just your opinion? You do not have any proof, no substantial evidence?)
“Again your Honor, wala po along direktang kasabwat, si Chairman Guadiz, sa korapsyon. Sa pangkahalatan po, meron,” Tumbado said.
(Again, your Honor, I do not know that Chairman Guadiz is directly involved in corruption. Overall, I know.)
Minutes after this interpellation, Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta moved that Tumbado be cited for contempt after his different answers to lawmakers’ questions. The motion was seconded and approved by the committee chairperson and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop.