Guadiz out: DoTr appoints new LTFRB head

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has appointed Atty. Mercy Paras Leynes as the new acting officer in charge of the beleaguered Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB, whose previous chief was recently suspended due to allegations of corruption.

Bautista formalized Leynes' appointment, a former LTFRB Board Member, through Special Order No. 2023-353 signed on 10 October. Her appointment will be valid until 9 October 2024.

"She shall perform and discharge all the functions and responsibilities of the office, unless otherwise earlier amended or superseded," the Special Order read.

Likewise, it said: "She shall be entitled to all benefits and allowances accruing to the position, except the basic salary, charged against available LTFRB budget, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations."

The DoTr has activated an investigation to look into the allegations against the suspended former LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III on Monday.

Bautista also issued Guadiz a notice to explain after the latter was accused of misconduct regarding the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program or PUVMP, as revealed by a former LTFRB employee.

"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.