Transport strike starting Oct. 16 to push through, says group

LTFRB LOGO / STOCK

MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela on Friday announced that the planned nationwide transport strike will still push through beginning Monday, October 16.

This is even after LTFRB former senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado recanted his corruption allegations against the agency on Wednesday.

“Aside from the issue of the alleged corruption in the said agencies, the transport strike will also call for the suspension and review of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) which eventually led to graft and corrupt practices of some government officials,” said Manibela in an advisory.

To recall Tumbado on Monday exposed alleged corrupt activities happening within the board.

READ: NBI asked to conduct independent probe on alleged corruption in LTFRB

The former LTFRB officer stated that he and now-suspended LTFRB Teofilo Guadiz III first started having discussions on how they could “benefit” from the “lagayan scheme” as early as March, accusing other agencies and even Malacañang of being involved.

Among the under-the-table transactions done within the LTFRB, said Tumbado, were modifications of routes, prioritization of franchise papers, and special permits — with each illegal transaction costing P5 million, paid in two installments.

READ: Suspension of PUV modernization sought amid LTFRB corruption issue

In issuing an affidavit of recantation just two days later, Tumbado insisted that there are anomalies within the LTFRB, but admitted that his allegations were “unintentional and misguided.”

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself suspended Guadiz from his post the same day Tumbado revealed the alleged corruption within LTFRB.

JPV