The former executive assistant of suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III has been asked to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday, Oct. 16, to shed light on the corruption allegations in the agency, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said on Friday, Oct. 13, that the NBI has already issued a subpoena to Jefferson Tumbado, the former executive assistant of Guadiz.
But Clavano said the subpoena "could not have been served due to the incorrect address on Mr. Tumbado’s affidavit.”
He said the NBI had obtained a certification that the address contained in Tumbado's affidavit "does not exist." Thus, he said, the “NBI is in the process of serving another subpoena to the right address.”
“This will delay the process a little bit as he (Tumbado) was supposed to appear on Monday if he had put the right address,” Clavano said.
But Tumbado "can reach out to the NBI if he is willing to still appear on Monday,” he also said.
Last Monday, Oct. 9, Tumbado appeared at a press conference of transport group MANIBELA and made accusations that Guadiz has been accepting bribes in exchange for the quick approval of permits.
Due to the allegations of corruption, President Marcos suspended Guadiz from his LTFRB post.
However, last Wednesday, Oct. 11, Tumbado reportedly issued an affidavit which appeared to have recanted his allegations.
Published reports quoted Tumbado: "After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have been said during the press conference on October 9, 2023, where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided."