Subpoena served to LTFRB whistle-blower – DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed yesterday that a subpoena has been served to Jefferson Tumbado, a former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board employee who blew the whistle on alleged corruption in the LTFRB but later recanted his claims.

This came after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) failed to deliver the first subpoena to Tumbado due to the incorrect address in his affidavit.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed that Tumbado has received the subpoena served by the NBI.

According to Clavano, Tumbado is set to appear before the NBI on Monday to present evidence supporting his allegations of corruption in the LTFRB.

The DOJ spokesman reiterated that failure to respond to the subpoena is punishable under the law.

Tumbado, a former executive assistant of LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, alleged last Monday that top officials in the agency were involved in corruption.

He claimed that Guadiz and other agency officials accepted up to P5 million in bribes to secure special permits, board resolutions and franchise papers.

However, three days after making his allegations, Tumbado released a sworn affidavit recanting his claims as they were “unintentional” and “misguided.”

Despite his retraction, the NBI issued a subpoena and continued with the investigation.