LTFRB ‘whistleblower’ recants ‘lagayan’ allegation
MANILA, Philippines — Former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Senior Executive Assistant Jeffrey Tumbado on Wednesday recanted his rampant corruption allegation happening within the board.
“After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have been said during the press conference on October 9, 2023 where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided,” said Tumbado
“All of the things said were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, poor decision making and were encouraged by some individuals to make the statement which may have added to my confusion and affected my better judgment,” he added.
He then apologized to suspended LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, reiterating that it was not his intent to “besmirch the integrity and reputation of any one.”
Tumbado’s allegations resulted in the suspension of Guadiz as LTFRB chief as ordered by President Bongbong Marcos.
“I have issued this sworn affidavit as a form of public apology in favor of Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and to the Office of the President. I have no malicious intention to besmirch the integrity and reputation of anyone,” said Tumbado.
Last Monday, Tumbado exposed alleged corrupt activities happening within the board, baring that he Guadiz first started having discussions on how they could “benefit” from the “lagayan scheme” last March, accusing other agencies and even Malacanang of being involved.
Tumbado said that among the under-the-table transactions done within the LTFRB were modifications of routes, prioritization of franchise papers, and special permits — with each illegal transaction costing P5 million and paid in two installments.
Tumbado, in the same affidavit, however, insisted that there were still anomalies within LTFRB that needed to be investigated.
“I still stand by the issue that there [are] indeed, problems in the agency concerned that require immediate investigation by authorities concerned and those responsible be held accountable,” said Tumbado.
Mercy Leynes as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the agency.
