Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Teofilo Guadiz III is back at work following the lifting of his suspension by Malacanang.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said it is “in the exigency and best interest of service” that Guadiz is reinstated as LTFRB chairman.
Malacanang ordered the reinstatement of Guadiz after Jefferson Tumbado, a former employee of LTFRB withdrew his charges about alleged corruption in the LTFRB.
“The Office of the President lifted the suspension order imposed upon LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III after Jefferson Gallos Tumbado, who appears to be the sole witness in his case, executed an Affidavit of Recantation withdrawing his statements and allegations against him,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a separate statement.
“As such there stands no reason to place Chairperson Guadiz under preventive suspension unless a supervening event maintaining the same accusations against him are put forth before the OP,” he added.
Guadiz in a statement thanked President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his decision to reinstatement as LTFRB chief.
“I am truly honored and humbled by the trust and confidence that President Marcos has placed in me to continue serving our nation in this capacity,” Guadiz said.
“I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and efficiency in leading the LTFRB. We will work tirelessly to address the pressing issues and challenges in the transportation sector, striving to improve the lives of the Filipino people by providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation services,” he added.
Under the leadership of President Marcos, Guadiz said the LTFRB looks forward to contributing to the administration’s vision of progress and prosperity for the Philippines.
“I am committed to working closely with our dedicated team at the LTFRB and other stakeholders to achieve our common goals,” Guadiz said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz last October amid accusations of corruption in the approval of franchises, new routes and special permits in exchange for a huge sum of money.
Days after claiming that there is corruption in the LTFRB, Tumbado recanted his accusations, saying these were borne out of “irrational thinking and poor decision-making.”
