COMPLAINTS FILED. Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista signs a complaint he filed against those who accused him of being involved in corruption at the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday (Oct. 17, 2023). The cyber libel complaints were filed against Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers president Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban. (Photo courtesy of DOTr)
MANILA – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday filed cyber libel complaints against two of his accusers over corruption allegations at the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The complaints were filed against Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) president Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban for violations of Article 355 in relation to Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Republic Act (RA) 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act.
“Marami silang accusations na ako raw ay tumanggap ng pera, ng suhol, hindi naman totoo. Kaya gusto ko lang protektahan ang aking pangalan na inalagaan ko for almost 45 years (They have made many accusations against me that I receive bribes, which are not true. I just want to protect the name I’ve nurtured for almost 45 years.),” Bautista said.
Article 355 is a provision in RA 10175 that defines the crime of libel while Article 353 defines cyber libel as a form of libel committed through a computer system or “any other similar means which may be devised in the future.”
He said he was never part of corruption or bribery schemes in the DOTr and the 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.
In an interview with reporters, Valbuena responded to the charges as "purely harassment and abuse of power and authority."
He noted that he will attend the preliminary investigation by prosecutors that will judge whether there is enough in the allegations to file the case before the courts or dismiss the complaints.
"Mag-a-attend po ako at wala pong dahilan para tumigil hanggat di lumalabas ang katotohanan (I will be there as there is no reason for me to refuse until the truth comes out)," he said.
On Oct. 9, former LTFRB executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado accused suspended LTFRB chair Teofilo Guadiz III of organizing a bribery scheme involving the LTFRB and high ranking DOTr officials.
Tumbado alleged operators pay up to PHP5 million for franchises, additional routes and special permits.
He made his allegations in a press conference organized by Manibela but formally recanted his claims two days later.
In a message to reporters, Panganiban said he was surprised over his inclusion in the complaint.
"I have no idea what this is all about. I have simply been reporting the news just like everyone else has," he said. (With reports from Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
