NBI summons LTFRB whistle-blower

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued a subpoena for a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board employee who blew the whistle on alleged corruption in the LTFRB but later recanted his claims.

The subpoena was issued despite former executive assistant Jefferson Tumbado retracting his corruption allegations against LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III and other agency officials, NBI public information officer Nick Suarez told The STAR yesterday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that while a subpoena had been issued, it could not be served due to the incorrect address in Tumbado’s affidavit.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said the NBI obtained a certification verifying that the address in Tumbado’s affidavit does not exist.

Clavano noted that the NBI is in the process of serving another subpoena to Tumbado.

In a press conference, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ would work closely with the NBI on the case.

“The NBI has an anti-graft desk. That’s usually motu proprio. But we will remind them,” Remulla told the press.

“I think Undersecretary (Brigido) Dulay will be the one to talk with the NBI to go after this LTFRB case and to interview the chairman of the LTFRB,” he added.

Tumbado previously claimed that top officials of the LTFRB accepted bribes of up to P5 million to issue franchises, special permits or board resolutions.

However, Tumbado recanted his claims days later, saying all the things he said were born out of “impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment and poor decision making.”

Meanwhile, Manila Rep. Benny Abante has filed House Resolution 1381, urging the House committee on good government and public accountability to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation of the LTFRB’s implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) .

“While the whistle-blower has recanted his initial statements…. he maintains that there are still problems in the LTFRB that merit an immediate inquiry,” he said.

Abante also called for the suspension of the PUVMP pending the results of the investigation. — Sheila Crisostomo