The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued a subpoena to Jeff Tumbado, the former executive assistant of suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, who recently recanted his allegations of corruption in the agency.
Earlier, in a media briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will coordinate with the NBI regarding the issue.
“The NBI has an anti-graft desk. It’s usually motu propio. The agents of the NBI will visit them. But we will remind them,” Remulla said.
This developed as a transport group asked President Marcos to reinstate Guadiz to his position.
The Pro-MoVERS Transport Alliance also said it is committed to supporting the government’s public transport modernization program and opposes any transport strikes that could disrupt public services.
The group MANIBELA said the transport strike it declared for Monday, October 16 will push through as they want to express their concerns on the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.
Meanwhile, a Senate investigation into the alleged corruption in the LTFRB is in order “if no one seriously pursues it,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Thursday.
Pimentel said he is ready to file a Senate Resolution to ask the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
However, the opposition lawmaker said before doing so, he needs to wait if the NBI will do its own investigation as requested by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.
Since this involved public interest, Pimentel noted the alleged corruption should be probed. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
On Wednesday, Tumbado backtracked on his earlier testimony that his former boss Guadiz received bribes, which had reached other officials in the Department of Transportation and even Malacanang.
Senator Grace Poe doubted the sudden retraction of Tumbado, which she insisted should be investigated.
Probers should also find out who’s behind the move of Tumbado, she added, noting he should be charged if indeed his first statement was fabricated.
“We are not taking it for granted, but we won’t tolerate false testimonies, because if there’s smoke, there might be fire,” said Poe.