SEN. Grace Poe yesterday urged authorities to investigate why a former officer of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recanted his allegations of corruption in the agency.
“Kaduda-duda na nag-retract. Ano ang tunay na dahilan na binawi ito? Dapat imbestigahan kung bakit niya binawi ang kanyang salaysay (His retraction is questionable. What is the real reason why he withdrew his statement? He must be investigated),” Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services said of Gallos Tumbado, a former assistant of suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.
Poe said if the allegations of Tumbado are without basis, charges should be filed against him.
“Kasuhan siya kung walang basehan at tingnan kung may nag-udyok sa kanya na bawiin ang kanyang mga naging alegasyon. Sabi nga, kung may usok, malamang may sunog (Charges should be filed against him if his allegations are baseless. The investigation should also find out if there are people who encouraged him to recant his allegations. Just like the old saying, if there’s smoke, there’s a fire),” she added.
Tumbado, who appeared in an earlier press conference with the transport group Manibela, claimed corruption in the LTFRB in relation to the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program that also allegedly involved officials from the Department of Transportation and Malacanang.
As a result, President Marcos ordered the suspension of Guadiz.
Last Wednesday, Tumbado executed an affidavit of recantation, saying what he earlier said was due to “irrational thinking” and “poor decision-making.”
He said he was encouraged by some individuals to make the statement which added to his confusion and affected his judgment.
He said, however, that there are problems in the LTFRB that need immediate investigation and those responsible should be made accountable.
Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said regardless of the withdrawal of accusations, Tumbado should still be investigated.
Pimental added he will be monitoring this case.
“Kapag walang mag-take charge (If no one takes charge), then the Senate should come in because of the public interest issue. My office will monitor this case. If no one seriously pursues this issue, then I will file a resolution for the Senate to investigate this,” he said.
