Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 16) — Jeffrey Tumbado, the former official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), has asked for more time to get a new lawyer.
Tumbado failed to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday to answer questions on allegations of corruption that he earlier made against transportation authorities.
“Napag-alaman namin sa oras na ito yung kanyang abugado na unang pumunta sa NBI ay nagbitiw na bilang abugado kay Tumbado,” Justice Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said on Monday. “Humihingi ng pagkakataon na kumuha ng panibagong abugado.”
[Translation: We found out that his lawyer who first went to the NBI has resigned as Tumbado’s lawyer. He requested time to hire a new lawyer.]
Tumbado, meanwhile, explained that his legal counsel, Atty. Pearl Campanilla, resigned because of personal reasons.
“Hindi ako uncooperative, marami lang dapat plantsahin [I’m not uncooperative, there’s just a lot that needs to be taken care of]. Still seeking for another lawyer to represent me,” Tumbado said in a separate phone interview with reporters.
He promised to cooperate with the investigators.
“Nananatili po ang aking commitment na tumulong sa NBI sa kanilang pagsisiyasat,” he said in a separate statement. [I remain committed to assisting the NBI in their investigation.]
The NBI summoned Tumbado, who was the former executive assistant of suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz, to look into his revelations about the alleged corruption within the transport department.
But Tumbado already retracted his allegations that public utility vehicle operators paid transport officials up to ₱5 million to get routes, franchises, and special permits, among others.
“Humihingi rin po ako ng pang-unawa ng publiko sa idinulot ng iskandalong ito patungkol sa kurapsyon sa LTFRB,” he said. [I am also asking for the public’s understanding on what this scandal regarding the corruption in the LTFRB has caused.]
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Meanwhile, Dulay said the investigation will proceed until the former LTFRB aide has given his statement.
“Ang ating trabaho rito tingnan ang mga sinabi ni Mr. Tumbado dahil baka ito ay ugatan ng isang malawakang imbestigasyon,” Dulay said. “O maaari din naman itong magtuldok na sa kanyang akusasyon.”
[Translation: Our job is to look at what Mr. Tumbado has said because this might lead to a broader investigation. Or it can put an end to his accusations.]
