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Teofilo Guadiz III has been reinstated as chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
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His reinstatement took effect on November 6
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The development came after his former executive assistant, Jeffrey Tumbado, recanted his allegations of corruption in the LTFRB
Teofilo Guadiz III is back as the head of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
His reinstatement took effect on November 6, as stated in Department of Transportation (DOTr) Special Order No. 2023-380 dated November 3. The decision also lifted the special order designating LTFRB board member Mercy Jane Paras-Leynes as officer-in-charge of the agency.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for his decision to reinstate me as the Chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board,” Guadiz said in a statement.
“I pledge to uphold the highest standard of integrity, transparency, and efficiency in leading the LTFRB. We will work tirelessly to address the pressing issues and challenges in the transportation sector, striving to improve the lives of the Filipino people by providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation services,” he added.
Guadiz’ reinstatement came after his former executive assistant, Jeffrey Tumbado, accused LTFRB of corruption, leading to Guadiz’s suspension on October 9. Tumbado, during an October 9 press conference by the transport group Manibela, made these allegations, particularly regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. He also hinted at the possible involvement of other officials within DOTr and Malacañang.
However, just two days later, on October 11, Tumbado submitted an affidavit recanting his previous allegations. He attributed his earlier statements to “impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, poor decision making, and influence from certain individuals.”
READ: Ex LTFRB employee recants corruption allegations
Tumbado admitted that external pressures had led to confusion and compromised his judgment. In his affidavit, Tumbado offered a public apology to Guadiz, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista, and the Office of the President. He continued to assert that issues within LTFRB should be investigated by the authorities.
Bautista had firmly denied involvement in any corrupt activities and expressed his intention to take legal action against those tarnishing his reputation. On October 17, Bautista filed cyber libel complaints against Manibela president Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban before the Department of Justice over allegations of corruption.
