TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday filed cybercrime complaints against Manibela President Mar Valbuena and Ira Panganiban before the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of corruption in the agency.
Secretary Bautista filed charges against Valbuena and Panganiban for violations against Article 355 in relation to Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Republic Act 10175 or Cyber Crime Prevention Act.
“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, if only to put a blemish on my untarnished track record and reputation of excellence and integrity,” Bautista said in the charge sheet. Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty received the complaint.
The transport chief maintained that he was never a part of corruption and bribery schemes in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (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.
For his part, Panganiban said he had only been reporting the news.
“I have no idea what this is all about. I have simply been reporting the News just like everyone else has,” he said in a message to reporters.
Meanwhile, when asked if the complaint might create a chilling effect, Bautista said the public should wait for the result of the process.
“Hintayin na lang natin ‘yong magiging result nung proseso. May proseso naman ‘yan eh, hintayin na lang natin,” he said.
Bautista said they have also submitted the initial results of the internal investigation into Tumbado’s allegations against Guadiz to the Office of the President.
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