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Solons deny LTFRB corruption whistleblower's plea to lift detention order

Philippines | National

Solons deny LTFRB corruption whistleblower's plea to lift detention order

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

The Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop-chaired House Committee on Transportation has denied corruption whistleblower Jefferson Tumbado's plea to have his 10-day detention order lifted.

Antipolo City 2nd Rep. Romeo Acop (PPAB)

The Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop-chaired House Committee on Transportation has denied corruption whistleblower Jefferson Tumbado's plea to have his 10-day detention order lifted.

"Dineny yung plea niya na ma-lift yung kanyang penalty, dahil ayaw ng mga kasamahan ko eh. Nainis sila eh. So dineny (His plea to have the penalty lifted was denied by my colleagues in the committee. They were annoyed. So it was denied)," Acop told House reporters Friday, Oct. 27.

The rejection of the 10-day detention order took place during a Zoom meeting of the committee on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Acop handed down the penalty to the former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive assistant last Oct. 23 during a motu proprio investigation of the House panel on the corruption allegations raised by the latter against the agency.

This, after Tumbado was cited for contempt for admitting that he had proof of corruption at the LTFRB and for basically spouting hearsay.

Tumbado, who is detained at the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City, is set to be released on Nov. 2.

Acop also bared that Tumbado has waived his right to vote in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, Oct. 30.

The Antipolo congressman said the whistleblower was a registered voter in Olongapo.

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/27/bulacan-solon-refuses-to-lift-contempt-order-on-tumbado-suggests-way-for-him-to-vote-in-polls-1

"Inorderan ko yung Sergeant-at-arms na kung pupwede (I ordered the Sergeant-at-arms that, if possible), if he decides to exercise his right to vote, escortan siya sa Olongapo (to bring him to Olongapo)," Acop said.

"Ngayon ang report sakin nung kuwan (Now they reported to me)...I think he decided to waive his right to vote," he said.

Had Tumbado insisted on voting, he would have been allowed to leave detention Sunday, Oct. 29, and escorted back to the House right after casting his vote on Monday.

Acop says there is still no date for the committee's second hearing on the alleged corruption at the LTFRB.

Related Tags

whistleblower contempt LTFRB Romeo Acop

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