Vitangcol cleared in separate graft cases

MANILA, Philippines — Former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) general manager Vitangcol yesterday clarified a report that he is still facing another set of graft cases at the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division in connection with the alleged $30-million extortion attempt on Czech company Inekon Group.

The graft cases had already been dismissed by the Sixth Division in a resolution promulgated on Oct. 7, 2019, Vitangcol said.

The court granted him and co-accused Wilson de Vera’s demurrer to evidence for the dismissal of the cases because of weak evidence presented by the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel, he said.

Vitangcol was accused of attempting to extort some $30 million from Inekon in 2012 supposedly in exchange for the award of a contract for the supply of train coaches.

The contract for the supply of coaches was eventually awarded to CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. of China while the maintenance contract was awarded to PH Trams after officials of Inekon supposedly refused to pay the amount allegedly being extorted by Vitangcol and De Vera.