NBI subpoenas LTFRB ‘whistleblower’ Tumbado

A Department of Justice official on Saturday said a subpoena for the appearance of former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board executive assistant Jefferson Tumbado has been served.

DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano said the NBI has confirmed the serving of the subpoena to Tumbado and that it was duly received.

"He is set to appear before the NBI at 10 o'clock in the morning on Monday, 16 October, to present evidence to support the allegation of corruption in the LTFRB. He is required to be present. As stated in the subpoena, failure to appear may be penalized under law," said Clavano in a text message to reporters.

[Update, 6:03 pm, 14 October: Tombado said: "Sorry late reply. have received the subpoena yesterday. But I wont be able to show up."]

Earlier, the NBI has asked the former executive assistant of suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III to shed light on his corruption allegations against the LTFRB.

On 9 October, Tumbado appeared at a press conference called by transport group MANIBELA where he accused Guadiz of accepting bribes allegedly in exchange for the quick approval of public transportation routes, franchises and permits.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended Guadiz following Tumbado's allegations.

But on 11 October, Tumbado issued an affidavit recanting his allegations.

"After careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate that whatever allegations may have been made during the press conference on 9 October were all unintentional and misguided," he said in his affidavit.