PBBM suspends LTFRB chief Guadiz

President Marcos has suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chief Teofilo Guadiz III due to alleged corruption under his leadership.

In a statement Monday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that President Marcos would not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations.

“(Mr. Marcos) strongly condemns dishonesty and duplicity in public service,” PCO added.

Earlier, Jefferey Tumbado, a former executive assistant of Guadiz, accused the LTFRB chief of corruption over the alleged “lagay” or bribing system inside the agency.

During a press conference organized by the transport group Manibela, Tumbado said some involved in the system had previously shelled out P5 million to gain favor from the agency, particularly in acquiring permits and route modifications.

President Marcos named Guadiz, the former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief, to chair the LTFRB last December.

He replaced former LTFRB chief Cheloy Garafil, who resigned from her post in October 2022 to serve as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary.

Garafil in turn replaced former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who quit in the same month due to health reasons.

As LTFRB chairperson, Guadiz is in charge of promulgating, administering, enforcing, and monitoring compliance of policies, laws, and regulations of public land transportation services.

Prior to his appointment, he served as LTO chief and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for the Road Sector.

He was a former director at the now-defunct Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Regional Director of the LTO-National Capital Region (NCR) and LTO-Region 1 (Ilocos Region).