Marcos suspends LTFRB chief Guadiz, orders corruption probe

Teofilo Guadiz III —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz III amid accusations of corruption against his leadership, Malacañang said on Monday.

“The President does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and has instructed the immediate investigation of this matter. He strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The PCO did not state the duration of Guadiz’s suspension.

Jeffrey Tumbado, Guadiz’s former executive assistant, claimed bribery was rampant at the LTFRB and that the routes, modification of routes, and special permits were being sold in the agency.

Tumbado alleged at a press conference that there were corruption practices reaching up to Malacañang that involved accepting bribes in exchange for “special permits” for public utility vehicle franchises. He did not elaborate.

‘Our conscience is clear’

Guadiz, a lawyer, was named LTFRB chief in December last year. He previously served as Land Transportation Office head and Department of Transportation (DOTr) assistant secretary for road transport and infrastructure.

Tumbado said he and transport Manibela would file graft cases in the coming days to identify those who are involved.

Guadiz, for his part, denied knowing about the corruption allegations.

“As of this morning, I was just in my office and I haven’t learned of anything like that. But if there’s any, we’ll face those. Our conscience is clear,” he said.

On Monday, the DOTr said Guadiz had been placed under investigation after the President ordered his suspension.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has ordered Guadiz to explain the allegations of corruption and irregularities against him.

“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” Bautista said in a statement.

He stressed they do not tolerate any form of corruption in the DOTr and will not have any second thoughts about imposing “the stiffest sanction if the evidence so warrants.”

Transport strike set

Meanwhile, transport group Manibela will stage a nationwide transport strike starting Oct. 16 to protest the alleged corruption practices within the LTFRB.

The group will also protest the planned phaseout of traditional jeepneys.

At a press conference, Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena warned that the planned mass action would be “the biggest transport strike that the government will experience.”

“This is not only a transport strike, we will also hold protest actions in front of the LTFRB, DOTr and Malacañang,” he said.

Valbuena, however, did not say the duration of the planned transport strike.

Manibela’s members are composed of drivers and operators of passenger jeepneys, multicabs, and UV Express.

Members from Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon have committed to participate in the transport strike, Valbuena said.

The group has also demanded the resignation of Bautista and Guadiz.