What happened to this so-called LTFRB whistleblower?
LTFRB Whistleblower Jeffrey Tumbado, a former senior executive assistant in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, seemed to be playing the “Laban O Bawi” game as he retracted his corruption claim.
Earlier, Senator Grace Poe asked the agency to temporarily stop the implementation of the PUV modernization program. Her call came from the fact that Tumbado presented an alleged “lagayan” that is happening inside the agency.
She said that this program has a slow pace and now, the situation has worsened as there is an alleged corruption with the acquisition of franchise.
Following the statement from the LTFRB whistleblower regarding the alleged corruption, Senators were dismayed that this was not the same statement that was coming out of Tumbado’s mouth.
Based on the report from the Inquirer, Tumbado issued an affidavit of recantation. He said that his allegations were “unintentional and misguided” despite the anomalies in the agency.
This did not sit well with Sen. Grace Poe, who is the head of the Senate committee on public services. She said that it was quite astonishing that Tumbado retracted his first statement and that this should be investigated.
Yes, I strongly agree with Sen. Poe. This is a serious matter and this is not a game of “Laban O Bawi” in which you could push and pull whatever you want to say.
It is indeed questionable why Tumbado suddenly changed his statement and with this, his reputation now has a dirty spot. Which statement is true, the first one with his corruption allegation, or his second statement covering up what he previously said?
It is also something to be worried about that officials or former officials can easily say what they want in front of the public and sometimes they are under oath, and then just retract if they want to or if the situation requires them.
Corruption in the Philippines, admit it or not, is so rampant. Sometimes, it just varies in degrees how rampantly it is done, or how it is done secretly.
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