Bautista on corruption link: Integrity more precious than material wealth
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista attends a Senate budget hearing on September 26, 2023. (File picture from Voltaire Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday refutes allegations he may be involved with the alleged corruption purportedly committed by suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Teofilo Guadiz.
Bautista disclosed in a radio interview that reports have reached his office linking him and some members of House of Representatives to the alleged anomalies in LTFRB.
In response, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) head has written to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), seeking an independent probe into the issue.
“I am saddened by the baseless accusations being thrown at me that I’m involved in corruption,” Bautista said in a video statement.
“Please allow me to categorically say that I have never accepted any money or favor since assuming the post of transportation secretary,” he went on.
“When I took the helm of DOTr, I vowed to serve the country and the Filipino people with integrity. This, to me, is more precious than any material wealth,” he stressed.
“I intend to strongly defend the truth in my name and plan to file the appropriate formal complaint to whoever is maligning me,” Bautista warned.
“While these allegations distracted us from our work, I vehemently deny involvement in any corruption or inappropriate activities,” the cabinet member concluded.
On October 9, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz as LTFRB head.
Guadiz’s suspension came after former senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado exposed the LTFRB chief’s alleged plans on the “lagayan (bribe) scheme” and the purported ‘under-the-table’ transactions of the board.
These transactions allegedly take place in the modifications of transport routes, prioritization of franchise papers, and the issuance of special permits.
Tumbado had said the bribe for each illegal transaction costs about P5 million, paid in two installments.
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