Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III on Thursday said he is unfazed by the filing of a graft complaint against him before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Upon receipt of these documents, a comprehensive examination of the allegations will be conducted, and our response will be presented in the appropriate venue and timeframe,” he said.
The planned modernization program will continue, the agency said.
Guadiz assured that the LTFRB remains committed to carefully adhere to pertinent provisions of the 1987 Constitution, other applicable laws and judicial rulings.
On Thursday, transport group Manibela, led by Mar Valbuena, filed a graft complaint against Guadiz, and his board members Liza Marie Paches, Mercy Jane Paras Leynes and Robert Peig before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Also named as respondents were Office of Transport Cooperatives chairperson Ferdinand Ortega, and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra in connection with the planned franchise revocation of PUVs that would fail to consolidate beyond the April 31 deadline.
“We have not yet received an official acknowledgment of the complaint-affidavit nor have we gotten a legal subpoena or Ombudsman mandate that required us to submit our counter-affidavit,” Guadiz said.
