The former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive assistant who exposed the widespread corruption within the agency has recanted his accusation, citing that he was just "encouraged by some individuals" to make such a statement.
Jeffrey Tumbado's affidavit of recantation sent to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was released to the media on Wednesday, Oct. 11.
According to Tumbado, his earlier statement that implicated suspended LTFRB chief Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz II andDOTr and Malacañang officials in the corruption "were all unintentional and misguided."
"That all of the things were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgments, poor decision making and was encouraged by some individuals to make the statement which may have added to my confusion and affected by the better judgment," he added.
JUST IN: Dating empleyado ng LTFRB na si Jeff Tumbado na nagbunyag ng umanoy kurapsyon sa PUV Modernization Program ng ahenysa, binawi ang akusasyon kay LTFRB Chair Teofillo Guadiz III at humingi ng paumanhin kay DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista at sa Office of the President | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/xKRyiKHuo9
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) October 11, 2023
But Tumbado stood firm that there were indeed problems in the agency that "require immediate investigation by authorities concerned and those responsible be held accountable."
The former LTFRB executive assistant extended his sincere apology to Guadiz, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, and to the Office of the President (OP).
"Further this affidavit of recantation is being executed to attest to the truth of all the foregoing facts and for all legal intents and purposes," he furthered.
During a press conference of transport group Manibela last Monday, Oct. 9, Tumbado revealed that there were illegal transactions such as "ruta for sale" and "special permit for sale" in the LTFRB, and this was allegedly ordered by Guadiz.
He claimed that Guadiz was receiving orders from the "higher ups" in the DOTr and Malacañang Palace.
The former LTFRB executive assistant said in every illegal transaction, the "lagayan" or money reaches to as big as P5 million.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has suspended Guadiz over to the accusation, and has tapped LTFRB board of directors member Mercy Paras Leynes as the agency's officer-in-charge.
The suspended LTFRB chairman has yet issue a statement on the controversy.
DOTr Chief Jaime Bautista strongly denied the accusation, and said he plans to file appropriate complaints to those who are maligning him.
