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Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista filed cyber libel complaints against MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban before the Department of Justice
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The charges are related to accusations of corruption levelled against Bautista in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday (Oct 17) filed cyber libel complaints against MANIBELA president Mar Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban before the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Bautista filed charges against the two for violation of 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 he was never a part of corruption and bribery schemes in the DOTr and 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.
During a press conference led by Valbuena on October 9, former LTFRB executive assistant Jeff Tumbado accused Bautista and the now-suspended LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III of corruption and irregularities, claims both parties refuted.
Tumbado has since recanted his statements, citing “impulsive, irrational thinking, poor decision making, and misjudgment” as the factors behind the accusations.
MANIBELA, after receiving the news, described the charges as “harassment”.
Panganiban, a radio anchor from the Rajah Broadcasting Network and a columnist of Manila Times, questioned the chargers, asking why he was singled out. He added he was also just doing his job.
