BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation has defended Cordillera transportation regional director Jimmyleyson Dumlao against allegations of payoffs, saying it has not encountered corruption in its dealings with the regional office.

Federation president Wilson Bumay-et Jr. said the group plans to submit a formal statement supporting Dumlao, whom he described as accessible and responsive to the concerns of the local transport sector.

Bumay-et said Dumlao regularly meets with transport representatives to discuss issues affecting drivers and operators, including requests for temporary fare adjustments. Public reports earlier this year documented consultations between Dumlao and local jeepney groups over voluntary fare adjustments amid rising fuel costs.

The federation president challenged Manibela leader Mar Valbuena, who raised the alleged payoff issue, to present evidence and file a formal complaint before the proper authorities.

Bumay-et said allegations should be supported by evidence and handled through formal legal and administrative processes to allow the accusations to be properly investigated.

He also suggested that the accusations could be linked to efforts to remove Dumlao from his post, although he offered no evidence to substantiate that claim.

Dumlao, for his part, has alleged that Valbuena is among those facing an investigation within the Department of Transportation and claimed the accusations against his office were intended to divert attention from internal inquiries involving transport operations.

Details of the alleged investigation involving Valbuena were not immediately available.