malaysiangTransportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday denied allegations of corruption and involvement with suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Teofilo Guadiz III. In a statement, Bautista denied accepting money or favors since assuming his post as the chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). ‘When I took the helm of the DOTr, I vowed to serve the country and the Filipino people with integrity — which to me is more precious than any material wealth,’ he said. In response to such allegations, he vowed to ‘defend the truth and my name.’ ‘I plan to file the appropriate formal complaint to whoever has been maligning me,’ he said. On Tuesday, whistleblower Jeff Tumbado, through Manibela president Mar Valbuena, alleged that Guadiz delivered ‘grease’ money to Bautista. Tumbado, who served as Guadiz’s former executive assistant, alleged that two lawmakers were also involved in the collection of bribe money for transactions such as the opening of new routes or franchises. He claimed that every LTFRB regional director was required to remit a monthly quota of PHP2 million, a total of PHP30 million per month. Following Guadiz’s suspension by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Bautista appointed lawyer Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes as officer-in-charge of the LTFRB.
Source: Philippines News Agency
