TWO more big groups expressed full support to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista amid corruption issues at the transport department.

In a statement, former Flight Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (FASAP) president Bob Anduiza vouched for the integrity of Secretary Bautista.

For over 25 years, Anduiza said he faced Bautista in labor disputes when the latter was the president of the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

“While our encounters with another were mostly tough and heated, Sec. Jimmy was always respectable and forthright,” Anduiza said.

Anduiza said Sec. Bautista remained “reasonable and honorable” amid deep and serious disagreements.

“The one thing that you can never accuse Sec. Bautista is being corrupt and dishonorable,” Anduiza said, adding the accusations are unfair to the secretary and his family.

The Private Emission Testing Center Owner’s Association (PETCOA) has also declared full support to the leadership and policies of Sec. Bautista.

PETCOA Chairman Bernardo S. Chang, Jr. said they “do not believe in sensationalized and unsubstantiated accusations” thrown against the transport chief.

The group also cited Sec. Bautista’s role and contribution to the country’s emission testing industry. FASAP and PETCOA are the recent groups that supported and defended the transport chief.

Earlier, members of the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP) have expressed their support to Sec. Bautista.

Secretary Bautista has vehemently denied accepting money or favor since assuming the post of Transportation secretary even as he plans to file appropriate charges against individuals implicating him in unscrupulous practices.

Meanwhile, transport groups manifested their belief in the integrity of suspended Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Teofilo Guadiz III.

In a manifesto, Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) President Orlando Marquez, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) National President Liberty Deluna, Pasang Masda President Obet Martin, Altodap President Melencio Vargas, Stop-n-Go President Zaldy Ping-ay, and FEJODAP President Jephraim Gochangco said they will not join the supposed nationwide transport strike scheduled on October 16.