The Department of Transportation or DoTr, the mother agency of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB, is urging the already suspended Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III to clear his name in light of recent corruption allegations.

In an official statement sent to the press on Monday evening, no less than Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista confirmed that an investigation was activated to look into the allegations.

Bautista also confirmed that he issued Guadiz a notice to explain after the latter was accused of misconduct regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program or PUVMP.

"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.

Aligned with the national government's thrust, Bautista reiterated that DoTr does not condone corruption within the agency and its line agencies to ensure honest governance among its ranks.

"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 said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has earlier called for the suspension of Guadiz  amid reports of alleged corruption under his leadership.

In a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office on Monday evening, the President said that he does not tolerate any misconduct in his administration and has instructed the immediate investigation of this matter. He strongly condemned dishonesty and duplicity in public service.

Malacañang did not specify the specific allegations against Guadiz. However, it came after a series of reports hurled by its former communications officer about alleged corruption at the LTFRB, incuding the alleged misconduct regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program or PUVMP.

LTFRB's former communications head, Jeff Gallos Tumbado, claimed that operators need to shell out P5 million for a franchise or modification of route.

Tumbado added that the agency's regional directors also have a "quota" of P2 million a month to be remitted to the national head office.

The LTFRB on Monday said they will continue to side with the people in spite of allegations hurled by its former communication officer.