President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered on Monday the suspension of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Teofilo Guadiz III amid reports of alleged corruption.”The President does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and has instructed the immediate investigation of this matter. He strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.The Department of Transportation is investigating Guadiz, who was also ordered to explain to shed light on the accusations of misconduct regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency would continue to clamp down on erring officials taking advantage of their posts.In a statement on Monday, Bautista said Guadiz was ordered to explain after allegations of corruption and other irregularities came out, particularly accusations of misconduct regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.’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 to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,’ Bautista said.’We do not tolerate any form of corruption in the DOTr and will not hesitate to impose the stiffest sanction if the evidence so warrants,’ he added.Guadiz, in a statement issued on the same day, said the agency continues to work with other government agencies to ensure efficient and fair service to stakeholders.”As of this morning, nasa opisina naman ako at wala pa po akong nalalaman na anumang opisyal na inihain laban po sa atin pero kung mayroon man, haharapin naman po natin ito dahil malinis po ang ating kalooban [I am in the office and I don’t know of any official charges against me but if any, I will face them because my conscience is clear],” he said.His suspension came after a former senior executive assistant exposed alleged corrupt activi
ties within the board.
Source: Philippines News Agency