SUSPENDED Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Teofilo Guadiz III is no longer pursuing criminal charges against his former executive assistant who earlier accused him of corruption and then retracted and apologized.
According to a Manila Bulletin report, Guadiz has decided not to press charges against Jeffrey Tumbado after the latter took back his accusations and asked for the LTFRB chief’s forgiveness.
“I have already forgiven Jeffrey. He apologized to me repeatedly after realizing that he made a mistake. I will not file libel charges against him. I have already forgiven him. Jeffrey already said sorry and, for me, that’s more than enough,” Guadiz was quoted in the Bulletin report as saying.
He reiterated his denial of any involvement in any corrupt activity in the LTFRB.
Guadiz said Tumabdo nursed a grudge against him when he transferred the latter to another department in the LTFRB, prompting Tumbado to quit his post.
“Jeffrey got demoted because of his attitude at work. Disgruntled with his demotion, he made these accusations against me,” Guadiz was quoted in the report as saying.
Tumbado later appeared with the transport group Manibela accusing Guadiz of involvement in corruption.
But he later retracted his allegations in an affidavit submitted to a Quezon City court.
“After a careful reflection and deliberation, it is my honest desire to reiterate whatever allegations may have been said during the press conference on October 9, 2023 where the public declaration was made were all unintentional and misguided,” the affidavit read in part.
“All of the things said were borne out of impulse, irrational thinking, misjudgment, poor decision-making and were encouraged by some individuals to make the statement which may have added to my confusion and affected my better judgment,” it said.
