Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz lll during a press briefing on fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV drivers and fare hike on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at LTFRB central office in Quezon City. (File photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz III may now return to his post after Malacañang on Sunday revoked the order that temporarily removed him as LTFRB chief due to corruption allegations.
“The Office of the President (OP) lifted the suspension order imposed upon … Guadiz after Jefferson Gallos Tumbado, who appears to be the sole witness in his case, executed an affidavit of recantation withdrawing his statements and allegations against him,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said in a statement.
Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the preventive suspension of Guadiz after Tumbado, the LTFRB chief’s former executive assistant, claimed that special permits, franchises, and other licenses for public utility vehicles were being illegally issued in exchange for bribe money.
Tumbado, a former radio reporter, however, later recanted his allegations, saying the accusations he made against Guadiz were “all unintentional and misguided.”