By Liza Soriano
SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III wants to conduct an investigation on the alleged corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) “if no one seriously pursues it.”
Pimentel, however, pointed out that if the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigates the matter, then the Senate’s probe will be unnecessary.
“If NBI will investigate then [okay] na pala. ‘Pag walang mag-take charge then Senate should come in because of the public interest issue,” Pimentel said.
“If no one seriously pursues this issue then I will file a [resolution] for the Senate to investigate this,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe said that the retraction of the former LTFRB employee Jeff Tumbado should also be investigated, saying that his sudden act was dubious.
“Kaduda-duda na nag-retract. Ano ba ang tunay na dahilan na binawi ito[?] Dapat imbestigahan bakit niya binawi ang kanyang salaysay,” the Senate public services committee chairperson said.
“Kasuhan siya kung walang basehan at tingnan kung may nag-udyok sa kanya na bawiin ang kanyang mga nasabing alegasyon. Sabi nga, kung may usok, malamang may nasusunog,” she added.
Earlier, Tumbado recanted his corruption allegations against Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.
“After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have been said during the press conference on October 9, 2023, where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided,” Tumbado said in his affidavit.
“All of the things said were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, poor decision making,” he then added.
(ai/mnm)
