Suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III has forgiven his former executive assistant who accused him of being involved in corruption activities in the agency.

At the same time, Guadiz disclosed that he will no longer pursue any case against Jeffrey Tumbado as the latter has already recanted his statements and even asked for his forgiveness a day after a press conference with a transport group in Quezon City where the allegations were made.

“I have already forgiven Jeffrey. He apologized to me repeatedly after realizing that he made a mistake. I will not file libel charges against him. I have already forgiven him.  Jeffrey already said sorry and, for me, that’s more than enough,” said Guadiz in an interview. 

He also denied that he is involved in any corruption activity in the LTFRB.

How it started

Guadiz said the incident started when he re-assigned Tumbado to other department in the LTFRB over misunderstanding with other employees.

Part of Tumbado’s job was handling the media interviews and other activities of Guadiz.

Guadiz said the re-assignment did not sit well with Tumbado who resigned over the transfer.

“Jeffrey got demoted because of his attitude at work. Disgruntled with his demotion, he made these accusations against me,” said Guadiz. 

Tumbado appeared with transport group Manibela in a press conference where he made the allegations of multi-million peso corruption, especially in securing franchise for modern jeepneys. 

Tumbado was also quoted saying that bribe money also go directly to the Department of Transportation a(DOTr) nd in Malacañang. 

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista denied the allegation and ordered an investigation into the incident. 

Guadiz, on the other hand, was suspended by President Marcos.

The recantation

Tumbado later apologized to Guadiz and Bautista through an affidavit submitted to a Quezon City court where he also recanted his statement.

“After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have said during the press conference on October 9, 2023 where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided,” the affidavit signed by Tumbado read.

“All of the things said were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, proor decision-making and was encouraged by some individuals to make the statement which may have added to my confusion and affected my better judgment,” he added.

Shocked

Guadiz said he was shocked after hearing the allegations made by Tumbado. 

“I never saw this coming; I treated him as if he is part of my family member… I needed time to process it, I was so shocked because I know that I did nothing wrong,” he said.

Guadiz said Tumbado immediately apologized to him a day after he made the baseless accusations against the LTFRB chief.

He said he also respect the decision of the President to suspend him.

Several transport group, however, is backing his return to the LTFRB.

Should he be reinstated by the President, Guadiz said he would prove to the public that all the allegations against him are nothing but lies fabricated by a disgruntled employee.