MANILA, Philippines - Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar has vowed to provide Vice President Jejomar Binay with his sworn affidavit in connection with the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) bribery controversy.
Rychtar gave the assurance to Binay during his courtesy call yesterday at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City.
“Ambassador Rychtar told the Vice President that he will give him a copy of his affidavit,†Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said.
Binay and Rychtar discussed the ongoing investigation into the MRT controversy.
“It was in that conversation that he told Vice President Binay that he will give him a copy of his affidavit,†Salgado said without elaborating.
Rychtar claimed that then MRT general manager Al Vitangcol tried to extort $30 million from the Czech firm Inekon for a supply contract for train coaches.
A senior administration lawmaker defended Vitangcol, who was earlier sacked as MRT head.
Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said it was possible that Rychtar made the allegations to get back at Vitangcol because Inekon failed to bag the contract. – With Paolo Romero