DOJ fails to serve subpoena to ex-LTFRB aide over address error

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported on Friday that the subpoena intended for former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive assistant Jeff Tumbado cannot be served due to an inaccurate address.

The Anti-Graft division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena to Tumbado, who previously served as an aide to the suspended LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III.

The subpoena was not delivered because Tumbado's address in his affidavit was wrong, according to the DOJ.

“This will delay the process a little bit as he was supposed to appear on Monday if he had put the right address,” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said.

The NBI is currently preparing a revised subpoena with the correct address.

Tumbado was the whistleblower on the alleged corruption within the LTFRB, leading to Guadiz's suspension.

But on October 11, Tumbado recanted the allegations against Guadiz and other officials in an affidavit, which also included an apology to Transportation Secretary Jamie Bautista.

On Tuesday, the DOJ announced that Bautista had requested assistance in examining Tumbado's assertions.