DOTr chief Bautista files cybercrime charges vs. Mar Valbuena, Ira Panganiban

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday filed cybercrime complaints against Manibela president Mar Valbuena and Ira Panganiban before the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of corruption in the agency.

Bautista filed charges against Valbuena and Panganiban for violations of Article 355 in relation to Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act.

"I cannot allow myself to be the subject of another's desperate attempt to attain fame, especially when malicious, baseless, and untruthful statements are hurled against me if only to put a blemish a blemish on my untarnished track record and reputation of excellence and integrity," Secretary Bautista said in the charge sheet.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty received the complaint.

The transport chief maintained that he was never a part of the corruption and bribery schemes in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"For the record, I have never received any bribe of some sort, much less used any amount of money to maintain my position as Secretary of the DOTr," he said.