Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday warned of filing a complaint against anyone who is “maligning” his name for alleged corruption.
\”I intend to strongly defend the truth and my name,\” he said in a video statement. \”So I plan to file the appropriate formal complaint to whoever has been maligning me.\”
Bautista denied being involved in any corrupt practices after transport group Manibela and a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board (LTFRB) official linked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to an alleged bribery scheme.
\”I am saddened by the baseless allegations being thrown at me that I’m involved in corruption,\” he said. \”Please allow me to categorically say that I never accepted any money or favor since assuming the post of Transportation secretary.\”
\”While these allegations may have distracted us from our work, I vehemently deny involvement in any corruption or inappropriate activities,\” Bautista added.
Manibela president Mar Valbuena earlier said that former LTFRB senior executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado alleged that suspended LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III delivered money to Bautista as part of the “ruta for sale” scheme.
Tumbado also recently revealed that operators have to pay transport officials up to ₱5 million in exchange of franchises, additional routes, and special permits.
In an ambush interview, Bautista said that Tumbado told him he was just used by Manibela. The Transportation chief said that his legal team is studying possible cases that can be filed against Valbuena.
\”Sinasabi ko sa kanya ah, posible akong mag-file ng kaso against him dahil napakagrabe ng kanyang accusation, walang basehan, walang ebidensiya,\” said Bautista.
[Translation: I was telling him, I could possibly file a case against him because his serious accusation, there’s no basis and evidence for it.]
CNN Philippines sought for Valbuena’s comment.
