By Junex Doronio
SAYING THAT IT WAS “IRRATIONAL THINKING” that drove him to accuse Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFTB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz III of corruption, self-claimed whistleblower Jeff Tumbado has recanted his allegations.
“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.
Earlier, Tumbado accused the suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III of delivering corruption money to Bautista.
He also claimed that Guadiz told him two congressmen — who Tumbado did not identify — were also in on the collection of P5 million from transactions such as the opening of new routes or franchises.
As a result of his “daring” expose’, Guadiz was suspended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, October 9, after the allegations came out.
Guadiz has strongly denied the allegations.
For his part, Bautista also vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged graft, stressing that he doesn’t allow corruption in the DOTr.
“All of the things said were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, poor decision making,” Tumbado admitted.
He further claimed that he issued the statement as a form of apology.
“I have issued this sworn statement as a form of public apology in favor of Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, Secretary Jaime Bautista, of the DOTr, and the Office of the President,” Tumbado said.
But the damage has been done, so to speak, on Guadiz.
Ironically, Tumbado said he had no “malicious intention to besmirch the integrity and reputation” of any individual.
But Tumbado still maintained that there were problems in the DOTr that required immediate investigation by authorities.
(AI/MNM)