Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday is saddened by allegations of corruption at his office and rejects accusations of his supposed involvement, saying he plans to go after those maligning his name.
“I am saddened by the baseless allegations being thrown at me, that I’m involved in corruption,” Bautista said in a video-recorded message sent to reporters.
“Please allow me to categorically say that I never accepted any money or favor since assuming the post of Transportation Secretary.
“When I took the helm of the Department of Transportation I vowed to serve the country and the Filipino people with integrity, which to me is more precious than any material wealth,” Bautista said.
This develops after self-confessed whistleblower, Jeff Tumbado, former executive assistant at LTFRB, alleged that suspended agency chief Teofilo Guadiz III delivered corruption money to Bautista.
“I intend to strongly defend the truth and my name, so I plan to file the appropriate complaint to whoever has been maligning me,” Bautista said.
“While these allegations may have disrupted us from our work, I vehemently deny involvement in any corruption or inappropriate activities,” he added.
Malacanang earlier ordered the suspension of Guadiz due to alleged corruption in the agency.
On Tuesday, the DOTr appointed Mercy Paras Leynes, board member at LTFRB, as officer-in-charge from 10 October 2023 to 9 October 2024.
Leynes temporarily replaces Guadiz who is allegedly involved in the controversy.
Bautista said Leynes shall perform and discharge all the functions and responsibilities of the office, unless otherwise earlier amended or superseded.
Bautista said an investigation has already been launched and that Guadiz has also been issued a notice to explain alleged misconduct centering on the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving (chairman Guadiz), we also issued a notice for Guadiz to shed light on the allegations,” Bautista said.
Bautista maintained the DOTr does not condone corruption within the agency and at its line agencies and has endeavored to ensure honest governance among the ranks.
He said the transport agency will continue to clamp down on erring officials taking advantage of their posts.
