BACK IN OFFICE | Guadiz reinstated as LTFRB chief after suspension

November 6, 2023 , 01:08 PM

(November 6, 2023) – Teofilo Guadiz III has been reinstated as the chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) less than a month after his suspension over alleged corruption in the agency.

Based on a special order from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Guadiz has returned to his old post starting today. DOTr secretary Jaime Bautista signed the document dated last Friday.

“In the exigency and best interest of service, Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III is hereby reinstated as the chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, effective 06 November 2023,” the document reads.

Last month, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz after the latter’s former executive assistant, Jeffrey Tumbado, accused him of involvement in illicit schemes in the LTFRB. Guadiz was accused of receiving bribe money in exchange for the speedy issuance of franchises and other permits.

But Tumbado quickly recanted his allegations not only against Guadiz but also against Bautista. In his affidavit of recantation, Tumbado claimed that his claims were “unintentional and misguided.”

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

Following this recantation, the Office of the President lifted the suspension order against Guadiz, thereby allowing the DOTr to authorize his return to the agency.

“In the absence of other witnesses … there stands no reason to place Teofilo Guadiz III under preventive suspension, unless a supervening event maintaining the same accusations against him is put forth before this office,” read a statement from the Office of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Guadiz said he was “honored and humbled by the trust and confidence” that Marcos has given him after his reinstatement.

“I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and efficiency in leading the LTFRB. We will work tirelessly to address the pressing issues and challenges in the transportation sector, striving to improve the lives of the Filipino people by providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transport,” said Guadiz.

But transportation group Manibela questioned Guadiz’s reinstatement considering that the investigation into the corruption in LTFRB has not been fully undertaken.

Manibela chairperson Mar Valbuena said they will talk to lawmakers from the transportation committee in the House of Representatives about their next steps.

“Nasa kasagsagan pa lang tayo ng imbestigasyon,” said Valbuena on One PH’s One Balita Weekend. “Bakit po binalik na agad (si Guadiz sa LTFRB) nang wala pang resulta? Nakakadismaya ‘yung mga ganitong nangyari.”

However, Bautista said the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation into the alleged corruption in the LTFRB will proceed even when Guadiz is already back in service.

“It will be our basis for a final decision,” said Bautista on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

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