COA to probe MRT contracts

MANILA, Philippines -  The Commission on Audit (COA) will conduct its own investigation on the alleged anomalous contracts entered into by the previous administration for the maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3).

In a letter dated June 15, COA fraud audit office acting director Bresilo Sabaldan requested Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to attend the preliminary conference today.

The letter was received by Tugade’s office on June 19.

Sabaldan said the preliminary hearing would cover the introduction of the members of the special audit team, documents that will be requested and other matters related to the field audit that will be conducted from June 23 to Aug. 3.

COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo said they would look into the maintenance service contract entered into by the Department of Transportation (formerly Department of Transportation and Communications) with joint venture PH-Trams CB&T in October 2012. 

Under the agreement, the MRT-3 would pay PH Trams CB&T $1.15 million monthly for maintenance service.

COA auditors will also investigate the P685.041-million deal that the previous administration entered into with Autre Porte Technique Global Inc. (APT Global) in August 2013 as well as the P23.35-million contract with Global Epcom Services Inc. in June 2015 for the maintenance of MRT stations, depot and other infrastructure.

The special audit team is tasked to complete its field work within 30 days and wrap up its probe by December.

The audit team was also directed to get the comment of the DOTr and integrate it in its final report.

The team was given 60 days to finish its report.

The COA probe into the previous MRT-3 maintenance contracts came amid reports of alleged bid riggings, frequent breakdown of MRT coaches and other technical glitches.