TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has filed a cyber-libel complaint against the chairman of a transport group and a journalist over reports that linked him to corruption.
According to the Department of Transportation (DoTr), the secretary filed the complaint against Mar S. Valbuena, chairman of the Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela), and journalist Ira Panganiban.
“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,” Mr. Bautista said in a statement on Tuesday. “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.”
In a Viber message, Mr. Panganiban said: “I have no idea what this is all about. I have simply been reporting the news just like everyone else has.”
Earlier, Mr. Valbuena expressed dismay at some officials of the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the DoTr for their alleged involvement in corruption.
To recall, Jeffrey G. Tumbado, a former executive assistant to LTFRB chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III said Mr. Guadiz and other transportation officials received money in exchange for franchises, routes, special permits and other documents from the agency. Mr. Tumbado has since recanted his statement.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered the relief of Mr. Guadiz III as LTFRB chairman. The DoTr has confirmed the appointment of Mercy P. Leynes as officer-in-charge of LTFRB. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
