House panel invites Czech envoy to probe

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on good government voted yesterday to invite Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar to its inquiry on the alleged attempt by certain officials of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to extort money from a Czech company.

“We decided to invite him so he can speak on these allegations. We will ask him to present proof,” Pampanga Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, committee chairman, said.

Rodriguez said the committee made the decision after Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, who sought the inquiry in a resolution, told the panel that he based his request only on media reports and that he had no evidence to support the extortion accusations.

“We nonetheless voted to pursue the investigation and to invite the ambassador who may have some proof,” he said.

Rychtar has reportedly complained that some officials of MRT-3 allegedly tried to extort $30 million from Czech firm Inekon, which was offering to supply train coaches.

Malacañang had ordered the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to investigate the ambassador’s complaint.