DOTr chief Bautista files cyber libel raps vs MANIBELA chair, journo

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday filed cyber libel complaints against individuals who had linked him to the purported corruption within the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Bautista lodged cyber libel complaints against MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban.

“Marami silang accusations na ako raw ay tumanggap ng pera, ng suhol, hindi naman totoo. Kaya gusto ko lang protektahan ang aking pangalan na inalagaan ko for almost forty-five years,” Bautista said in an interview with the reporters. 

(I am facing accusations that I supposedly received money and bribes, which are not true. That's why I just want to protect my name that I have upheld for almost forty-five years.)

During a press conference led by Valbuena on October 9, former LTFRB executive assistant Jeff Tumbado accused Bautista and the now-suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III of corruption and irregularities, claims both parties refuted.

In response to these allegations, MANIBELA organized a two-day strike on October 16 to 17.

Two days later, Tumbado retracted the corruption allegation, citing "impulsive, irrational thinking, poor decision making, and misjudgment" as the factors behind the accusations.

After receiving the news, MANIBELA considered the charges against them as "harassment".

“Tuloy ang laban,” the group said in a Facebook post.

Philstar.com reached out to Panganiban for a statement, but he has yet to respond.