THE Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association Inc. (PCSA) on Saturday expressed its support for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista amid allegations of corruption.

'The lack of evidence and the recantation of statements by the accuser highlight the malicious intent behind these allegations. The lasting smear on Secretary Bautista's reputation, further fueled by traditional and social media, is a matter of concern for us,' the PCSA said in a statement sent to The Manila Times signed by its chairman Lucio Roger Lim Jr. and president Paul Rodriguez.