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DOTr chief files cyberlibel complaint vs transport leader, journalist

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Adrian Ayalin and Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Mar Valbuena, chairman of transport group Manibela. Jonathan Cellona and Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/news/10/17/20230331-bautista-jaime-bataan-cavite-bridge-jc-4.jpg"/><figcaption>Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Mar Valbuena, chairman of transport group Manibela. <em>Jonathan Cellona and Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Tuesday filed cyberlibel complaints before the Department of Justice against Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena and a journalist over corruption allegations involving the modernization program of public utility vehicles.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/11/23/dotr-chief-bautista-denies-corruption-allegations">DOTr&#x27;s Bautista denies corruption allegations, eyes complaint vs accusers</a></li></ul><p>Bautista said that he wanted to protect his name after Valbuena and journalist Ira Panganiban accused him of accepting bribes.</p><p>“Marami silang accusation, ako daw ay tumanggap ng pera, suhol, which ay hindi naman totoo. Kaya gusto ko lang protektahan ang ating pangalan na inalagaan ko,” Bautista said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/13/23/transport-group-manibela-to-launch-transport-strike-monday">Transport group Manibela to launch &#x27;indefinite&#x27; transport strike Monday</a></li></ul><p>“Sinasabi niya (Panganiban) lumabas sa FB account niya na ang [Department of Transportation] daw may claim na ako ay involved sa katiwalain, na tumaggap daw ako ng pera,” he continued.</p><p>Bautista added that he was not inclined to quit his post.</p><p>“Bakit ko naman papatulan ang request ni Valbuena? Napakairesponsableng transport leader yan, kaya nag-file ako ng kaso against him,” the official said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/16/23/transport-strike-causes-minimal-disruption-mmda">Transport strike vs jeepney modernization causes &#x27;minimal&#x27; disruption: MMDA</a></li></ul><p>“Yung mga transport operators, nagtutulung-tulangan kami sa modernization program, napakaimportante mag-improve ng ating public transportation sa atin sa Pillipinas,” he said.</p><div><strong>VALBUENA HITS DOTr FOR &#x27;ABUSE OF POWER&#x27;</strong></div><p>The allegations of corruption against Bautista arose after former Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) executive assistant Jeffrey Tumbado revealed supposed anomalies within the agency. </p><p>Bautista said Tumbado contacted him and denied making any statements linking him to the irregularities.</p><p>Tumbado also <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/12/23/ex-ltfrb-employee-recants-allegations-of-corruption-in-agency" target="_blank">withdrew</a> his allegations.</p><p>In a video posted on Manibela’s Facebook days before the transport strike, Valbuena sent a message directed to Bautista</p><p>“Alam niyo po yung kay Secretary Bautista... wag niyo po kami tinatakot. Alam mo kahit barilin mo ako ngayon, hindi ako natatakot sayo. Kahit kasuhan mo ako ng patong-patong na kaso, hindi ako natatakot sayo,&quot; said Valbuena. </p><p>&quot;Kahit magkita tayo sa korte, kahit magkita tayo sa kulungan, gusto mo sabay pa tayo sa kulungan, tingnan natin kung sino ang tatagal sa ating dalawa,&quot; he said.<br/> <br/>Valbuena said the cyber libel complaint against him was “purely harassment and abuse of power and authority.” </p><p>In a message to ABS-CBN News, he said he planned to file a case against Bautista, too.</p><div><strong>PANGANIBAN SURPRISED </strong></div><p>Panganiban was surprised to see his name included in Bautista’s complaint through a press release sent to the Department of Transportation media Viber group.</p><p>“Teka bakit ako nasali dito?” Panganiban asked. </p><p>He said he had &quot;no idea what this is all about.&quot; </p><p>&quot;I have simply been reporting the news just like everyone else has,&quot; he said. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2845960" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Transportation Sec. Bautista filed cyberlibel complaints against Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena and a journalist over corruption allegations. 

DOTr chief files cyberlibel complaint vs transport leader, journalist

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DOTr chief files cyberlibel complaint vs transport leader, journalist

Adrian Ayalin and Jacque Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 17, 2023 05:51 PM PHT

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Valbuena

Manibela

Mar Valbuena

Ira Panganiban

Jaime Bautista files cyberlibel complaint

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