House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Whistleblower Jefferson Tumbado admitted before congressmen Monday, Oct. 23 that he had no proof of the alleged corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Tumbado was a resource person during the House Committee on Transportation's motu proprio investigation on his corruption claims at the LTFRB, which led to the suspension of agency chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.

Guadiz was also a resource person in the panel hearing, which was held in the middle of Congress' five-week recess.

"May pruweba ba kayo na may malaking korapsyon sa LTFRB? (Do you have proof of big-time corruption at the LTFRB?)" an obviously annoyed Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting asked Tumbado during the nearing.

“Wala, your honor, opinyon ko lamang po iyon (None, your honor, that was just my opinion),” the whistleblower said.

"Magbibigay kayo ng opinyon niyo na walang pruweba? Sinayang ninyo ang mga oras ng kongresista. Pumasok kami dito kahit na break namin at ngayon sasabihin niyo, opinyon niyo lang?" Tambunting said.

(You give your opinion without any proof? You wasted the time of us congressmen. We went here despite our break and now you'll tell us, it's just your opinion?)

Tumbado repeatedly said during the hearing that he based his revelations on the "complaints" he received from transportation operators who were disgruntled with the LTFRB.

Tumbado, a former journalist, was employed as Guadiz's executive assistant from February 2023 up to his sudden resignation in September. On Oct. 9, Tumbado claimed in a press conference that at least P5 million was being paid in exchange for approval of franchises, securing routes and special permits.

Two days later, he recanted his statement and said that he had no personal knowledge of any corruption activity directly involving Guadiz. He withdrew his recantion on Oct. 20, but insisted on his exoneration of Guadiz.

Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. tried to get the side of the still suspended Guadiz during his time to interpellate.

"Ano po ang masasabi ninyo sa mga akusasyon laban sa inyo ng inyong dating head of assistant? (What can you say about the accusations against you by your former head of assistant" asked Pleyto.

"On the allegation that there has been taken of money in exchange or in favor of a franchise, what I can say is that, no single person has the power to approve franchises. We need the LGU (local government unit), the DOTr (Department of Transportation), and we need also other government agencies. It's not the LTFRB alone," answered Guadiz.

"Moreover, I want to emphasize that in my time [as chairman], there were no new routes that were approved during my time except the PNR route that was abandoned...belying claims that there were routes that were for sale," he added.

Guadiz further said: "What I can only say is that, for every whiff of corruption that I hear in my office, I immediately conduct an investigation."

At any rate, Tumbado also admitted that just before his exposé, he was upset at Guadiz for unceremoniously reassigning him to another office.

"Dahil masama ang loob niyo inakusahan niyo na siya? (Because you got upset, you accused him [Guadiz] of corruption?)" Tambunting asked Tumbado, to which the latter answered, “Yes, your honor.”

Guadiz said he reassigned Tumbado after the latter had a quarrel with his fellow executive assistant. --Dexter Barro II