ALLEGATIONS of graft and corruption against officials are nothing new, and people have become desensitized about these things because after all, this sinister practice of lining one’s pocket of cash from the people doing business with the government has become commonplace.
Almost every government office has already been tainted with allegations of corruption, although those which have something to do with big-ticket government projects, revenue generation, and regulatory functions involving transportation, energy, justice and health are most prone to these claims.
The latest to be cited in this “dishonor roll” is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), headed by Chairman Teofilo Guadiz. The positions of chairman and members of this board are directly and personally appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
‘The presidential action on this matter is swift and decisive, but his investigators should also ask Tumbado what he meant by Malacañang being involved in the bribery scheme, and who in the Palace is on the take.’
The accusations against Guadiz is that he has been on the take from bus companies and operators and other stakeholders who have applications or requests with the board in connection with their franchises and operational matters.
There are some interesting details about this episode. The whistleblower this time is Jeffrey Tumbado, former senior executive assistant of Guadiz, who disclosed that he and his boss first started having discussions last March on how they could “benefit” from the “lagayan (bribery) scheme.” He accused other agencies and even Malacañang of being involved.
Not quite coincidentally, Tumbado made his claim at a news conference of the transport group Manibela which is the most left-leaning of all the current organizations of jeepney drivers and operators. Manibela, led by Mar Valbuena, has announced another nationwide transport strike to begin on Oct. 16, again to pressure the government to suspend the mandatory jeepney franchise consolidation, a component of the PUV Modernization Program.
Among the under-the-table transactions allegedly done within the LTFRB were modifications of routes, prioritization of franchise papers, and special permits – with each illegal transaction costing P5 million, and paid in two installments, according to Tumbado.
President Marcos’ off-the-cuff reaction is to suspend the LTFRB chief at once, within hours of the whistleblower’s announcement last Monday that he and Manibela will file a case before the Ombudsman against Guadiz. Marcos also ordered an investigation, with the Presidential Communications Office saying “the President does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration.”
The presidential action on this matter is swift and decisive, but his investigators should also ask Tumbado what he meant by Malacañang being involved in the bribery scheme, and who in the Palace is on the take.
The suspension of Guadiz was visibly rushed, even after the LTFRB chair assured the public that he was looking into the charges. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and the Office of the President should work hard to ascertain if the accusations are true, and if so, to determine how broad and deep its reach is.
