Philippines’ Manila Jeff Tumbado, a former executive assistant of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has recanted his accusations of corruption directed at Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III and other officials.
In an affidavit signed on Wednesday, Tumbado, a former executive assistant to the suspended Guadiz, said that Guadiz’s claims were the result of “impulse, irrational thinking, poor decision-making, and misjudgment.”
After considerable thought and consideration, Tumbado declared, “It is my sincere desire to reiterate that any accusations made during the press conference on October 9, 2023, where the public declaration was made, were all unintentional and misguided.”
He went on, “Everything that was said was the result of impulse, illogical thinking, poor judgment, and poor decision making. It was also encouraged by some people to make the statement, which may have increased my confusion and impair my better judgment.”
Tumbado asserted that Guadiz was the senior official taking bribes of up to P5 million pesos in exchange for expedited permit applications during a press conference held on Monday by the transport association MANIBELA.
Tumbado has the option, according to MANIBELA chair Mar Valbuena, to retract his accusations of corruption against the aforementioned authorities.
In an interview with News5, Valbuena stated, “Kung babawiin ni (Jeff Tumbado yung pahayag niya) ay prerogative niya ‘yon.” It is his prerogative to retract his comments.
He said, “Di ko naman siya pwede pigilan…’di naman sakin babalik ‘yon.” It won’t come back to me, therefore I can’t make him stop.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an order suspending Guadiz as a result of the Tumbado exposé.
Following Guadz’s suspension, LTFRB board member Mercy Planas Reyes assumed leadership of the organization as officer-in-charge.
A public pardon
Additionally, Tumbado stated in his affidavit that the recantation is a kind of public apology for Jaime Bautista, the Transportation Secretary.
“In the interest of Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation, and the Office of the President, I have issued this sworn affidavit as a form of public apology,” he stated in the document.
Earlier, Bautista refuted the claims of corruption and promised to take legal action against those who tarnish his reputation.
