Bautista orders probe into alleged corruption in LTFRB, asks Guadiz to explain
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista ordered on Monday, Oct. 9, a thorough investigation into the alleged bribery racket in obtaining franchise for public utility vehicles at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
At the same time, Bautista ordered LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III to explain the allegations of corruption and other regularities propped up within the agency.
“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [Chairman Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” Bautista said.
On Monday, a former assistant of Guadiz appeared before a press conference in Quezon City with a transport group and raise allegations of a multi-million corruption racket in the LTFRB, especially relating to PUV franchises and Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
In the same press conference, transport group Manibela also vowed to hold a nationwide strike to protest the alleged corruption in the LTFRB.
In a statement, Guadiz said vowed to address corruption in the agency and called on those who have been victimized by the alleged bribery racket in the agency to report the incident in order to immediately address the matter.
“I assure the public that we will continue setting things right in order to ensure fair transactions and services to our stakeholders,” said Guadiz.
Bautista, on the other hand, said the DOTr does not condone corruption within the agency and its line agencies to ensure honest governance among its ranks.
He added that the transport agency will continue to clampdown on erring officials taking advantage of their posts.
“We do not tolerate any form of corruption in the DOTr and will not hesitate to impose the stiffest sanction if the evidence so warrants,” said Bautista.