DOUBT shrouds the whistleblower’s claim dragging a certain Malacañang official to the graft and bribery allegations hurled against Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Teofilo Guadiz who has only been in office for about nine months.
A highly-placed source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, questioned the motive and timing of the supposed whistleblower – former LTFRB head executive assistant Jeff Tumbado, whom the source suspects may have been coerced or intimidated to hurl allegations against Guadiz and an unnamed Palace official.
According to Tumbado, Guadiz has been asking him as early as March to find means to benefit from “under the table transactions” embarking on LTFRB’s issuance of routes, franchise, and special permits.
Tumbado, a former journalist, said that the scheme also involves other officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and a Palace personality.
Traces of Red
While admitting the proliferation of corruption, the source said it is rather suspicious to drag a Palace official into the issue – “It looks more like a demolition, if not a destabilization against the administration.”
When asked to elaborate, the source said that Tumbado has been talking to the militant leaders of transport groups believed to be fronts of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines - National Democratic Front (NDF).
Interestingly, Tumbado who earlier hinted at filing corruption charges against agency officials will have Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) as co-complainant.
As to when the case will be filed, Tumbado declined to provide further details.
Pay-Per-Stamp
According to the former LTFRB executive assistant, Guadiz is demanding a minimum of P5 million for routes, franchises, and special permits.
“Kapag ikaw ay operator, gusto mong makuha itong daan na ito lalo na sa probinsya, magre-request ka tapos kung gusto mong mapasaiyo yan kahit hindi pwede, hanapin mo ko tapos ayun na,” he said.
Tumbado, who admitted having been used as a “middleman” in the dubious transactions, insists he can prove his allegations in court adding that he has in his custody evidence which includes screenshots and audio recordings of his conversations related to the alleged corrupt practice.
Aside from him, Tumbado said that Guadiz also imposed a P2-million quota to each of the LTFRB 17 regional offices.
Guadiz has already been suspended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office.
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