Ombudsman indicts ex-MRT chief Vitangcol for $30-million extortion attempt

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday found probable cause to file graft charges against former Metro Rail Transit Authority (MRTA) General Manager Al Vitangcol III for a multi-million peso extort try.

The Ombudsman ordered anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to file two counts of graft charges against Vitangcol and Wilson De Vera who were found to have conspired. This is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019.

The first count was for attempting to extort $30 million from Czech company INEKON which supplied light rail vehicles.

"Investigation disclosed that payment in advance by INEKON of $30 million, later reduced to $2.5 million, and entering into a joint venture by INEKON with a group proposed by Vitangcol were imposed as pre-conditions by Vitangcol, in conspiracy with De Vera, for INEKON to be awarded the contracts for the supply of additional LRVs and maintenance of the MRT3 line in connection with the P3.7 billion MRT3 expansion project in 2012," the Office of the Ombudsman said.

The second count was for insisting on the Czech company to enter into a joint venture with a group of people for the MRT-3 maintenance project.

Aside from graft, Vitangcol was also found administratively guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and unlawful solicitation.

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered that Vitangcol be perpetually disqualified to hold public office with forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancelation of eligibility.

Vitangcol is also facing a separate trial for graft for the anomalous award of the MRT-3 maintenance contract to PH Trams, the Office of the Ombudsman said.

The former MRTA General Manager was relieved from service undeclared conflict of interest in the MRT maintenance contract. Vitangcol failed to disclose that his uncle by affinity was a director of PH Trams.

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