00:00 Welcome to the source where we combine the headlines with in-depth conversations with the newsmakers themselves.
00:08 I'm Pinky Webb. Today on the program, a looming jeepney strike threatens to paralyze Metro Manila and other regions on October 16.
00:17 Senators maul a probe after a former LTFRB official recanted his claims of corruption in the transportation agency.
00:26 Manibela Chairman Mark Balbuena joins us in the program.
00:30 And later, the Philippines and Italy mark 75 fruitful years of bilateral relations through a book.
00:37 Italy Ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente tells us more later in the program.
00:52 Transportation group Manibela will push through with its plan to hold a nationwide strike on October 16
00:58 despite the many developments in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB.
01:05 This week, LTFRB Chief Teofilo Guadis III was suspended after his former aide Jeffrey Tumbado
01:11 alleged corruption in the agency through the Lagayan scheme.
01:15 But two days later, Tumbado recanted his allegations against Guadis.
01:19 Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and even the office of the President.
01:24 But senators want to investigate Tumbado's recantation and the veracity of his earlier allegation
01:31 that PUV operators had to pay transport officials up to five million pesos in exchange for franchises, special permits, and changes in routes.
01:42 Let's go straight to the source of the story. We have Manibela Chairman Mark Balbuena.
01:45 Mark, maraming salamat. Welcome to the source.
01:49 Good morning, Ma'am Pinky, and good morning to all the viewers.
01:54 A lot has happened. On Monday, there was a press conference. You were there and you were with your former executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado.
02:04 First of all, Mark, why was there a press conference? Was it because of Jeffrey's allegation or because of your plan for a transport strike?
02:13 And who approached whom?
02:17 Ma'am Pinky, I started it sometime in July. He approached me first to just be friends.
02:33 Then it took a while. He told me that there are rumors in the LTFRB. At first, I was afraid and nervous that this might be a lie because we are not close to Mr. Tumbado because he's new to the LTFRB.
02:52 We haven't been able to transact with him. We only met twice, whenever we have a meeting with Chairman Chope Luguadis and other transport groups that I am a member of.
03:07 He said that I can't stand the lies here, it's too corrupt. I feel sorry for the people who are also breathing.
03:18 Okay. So July... So Mark, you said that he approached you in July, basically to summarize it. He said that he's friends with you and he said that there are rumors in the agency.
03:34 Okay. So you made him believe it. You made him believe it.
03:40 Yes, I did, Ma'am Pinky. But he didn't say it right away. So in July, he was just being sent... For example, if we have issues because the transport strike is just ending, you remember the second sauna.
03:53 Then in August, he started to tell me that there are rumors of corruption here.
04:01 Okay. Now let's...
04:04 Mark, let's go back to Monday. So Monday, I want to know why there was a press conference.
04:10 On Monday, this is the case, Ma'am Pinky. Before September 25, originally his plan was September 25, he will celebrate it on the birthday of former Chairman Chope Luguadis.
04:28 He said he will file a case on Ombudsman on September 25 and then press conference. He said he will be accompanied by Manibela.
04:44 I said we are not ready and I cannot bring this up to my members. So I said let's be friends first. And then I said if we will accompany you, we need solid evidence that will come from you.
05:02 So it was delayed a bit. So we met first before this happened. Actually, we met twice. He invited me to have coffee and he also invited me to Subic.
05:17 What's there in Subic?
05:20 His lawyer is from there.
05:25 I see. Okay.
05:26 That's where we talked.
05:28 Mark, okay. You believed him. That's the reason why you sat beside him during that press conference. It's safe to say that, right?
05:40 What kind of evidence, what evidence did Mr. Tumbado show you?
05:48 Actually ma'am, the screenshot of their conversation with Chairman Luguadis. That's why I decided to have a press conference.
06:03 He said we will continue the press conference if there is a case to be filed. Originally, we will file the case on Monday morning of October 9 before the press conference.
06:18 He said not now, we will continue the press conference.
06:22 Did you have second thoughts about his story, his personality, Mr. Tumbado? Because two or three days later, he retracted.
06:35 He admitted to what he said and he said that it was misguided. Everything he said was misguided.
06:42 And in fact, he went on to apologize to the suspended chairman, to Secretary Bautista, and even to the office of the president.
06:49 I didn't expect that, ma'am Pinky, that he would recover. He said if I go back to our conversations, this is a battle.
07:03 There is no turning back. That's what he's telling me. I said if you think about it, the decision is yours. We will meet again on Friday, October 6. October 6 before the press conference in Pulonga.
07:19 I said because he has a friend who he's talking to and he's consulting with. I said the decision is yours because you will speak on it and you will file the case.
07:35 Okay. Why do you think he retracted? What is your theory?
07:42 I'm also studying it, ma'am Pinky. Based on what Secretary Bautista said, Mr. Tumbado called Secretary Bautista.
07:54 I'm wondering why he called to make this happen. I don't know if he really called or he was also searched.
08:04 He told me, Tol I'm sorry. My parents are in the hospital. I ran to the hospital. I need this. I'm sorry. I felt that he would do something.
08:19 At that time, I was in CIDG in Camp Crame to get a bladder. I heard that he went home but I didn't see what was in his retraction, his contention.
08:36 I didn't read it before he went home. But it has no effect on me. It has no effect on me regarding the press conference. He's the one who talked to us and he was accompanied. I didn't invite him.
08:53 Okay. So... He said he can't handle this alone. Someone asked him who he approached to release this. He can't handle this alone.
09:12 I understand. Do you feel that you were used? Do you feel used?
09:17 When he returned, of course, you cannot avoid thinking that they have an agreement with the Secretary.
09:34 I was suddenly summoned by Secretary Bautista. I told him I will not back down. He told me to be patient and hope that you understand that this is what will happen.
09:47 I think that's what will happen. He released that and it was done by a lawyer. He didn't do that. I believe that someone manipulated that.
10:03 Okay. If there are really affidavits, you need a lawyer. Just two very quick questions, Marno.
10:16 Do you have a plan to file a complaint before maybe the ombudsman because you said he showed you evidence.
10:27 Did you keep these evidence? Do you have a screenshot of these evidence? Do you have a copy? What is your plan with this?
10:34 The evidence he gave me is complete. Sorry, ma'am Pinky.
10:44 Yes. Go ahead.
10:46 What is this in the SRMC alert?
10:49 This is evidence from the start. When we first talked, how we first talked, who approached me, this is what I have.
10:59 But I promised him that I will not back down. Whatever the truth is, that's what we will show. No one will hear that this is not right because this is from you.
11:13 This is a redemption for us for our first allegations because no less than the head of the Executive Assistant of Chairman Guadis released this.
11:28 Although he went back, we don't believe his recantation.
11:34 We believe that someone moved here because when Secretary Bautista was on the way, there was a recantation while Chairman Guadis was backed immediately.
11:52 That's how fast things happen, ma'am Pinky.
11:56 We're going to have to end it at that, Manibela, chairperson.
12:04 Hearing at Congress, of course, we cannot not release our hands.
12:11 Right. There's an NBI investigation. I think Mr. Tumbado is being called and possibly a Senate investigation on this.
12:20 Thank you very much, Manibela, chairperson Mar Valbuena. Thank you, sir.
12:26 Thank you, ma'am Pinky.
12:27 And coming up, a book aims to dive into the ties that bind the Philippines and Italy.
12:32 We'll speak to Italian Ambassador to the Philippines, Marco Clemente.
12:35 This is The Source on CNN Philippines. Please stay tuned.
12:38 [MUSIC]
12:44 (thunder)
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