Wilson De Vera denies extort try, dares Czech envoy to take polygraph test

Businessman Wilson De Vera on Monday denied the allegation of Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar that he attempted to extort $30 million from Czech company Inekon Group on Metro Rail Transit (MRT) general manager Al Vitangcol's behalf.

“I dare na mag-polygraph test kami...Di porke't ambassador siya, you can take his word as gospel truth,” De Vera said in a phone interview aired on GMA News' “24 Oras” Monday evening.

Rychtar has said De Vera made the offer to the officials of Inekon to pay $30 million so the contract to supply coaches for the MRT3 expansion project would go the Czech company.

Rychtar said the alleged extortion attempt happened in his house on July 9, 2012.

De Vera confirmed that he was at the meeting at Rychtar's house but only to represent Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corporation (PH Trams), a company in which De Vera is one of the incorporators.

“We are offering our company na maging local partner nila na kung saan kung sakaling mag-prosper (yung deal nila with MRT), e magiging parang kami 'yung maintenance sa services later on,” De Vera said.

In October 2012, the Department of Transportation and Communications awarded the maintenance contract for the MRT 3 project to PH Trams and its partner, Commbuilders and Technology Philippines Corporation (CB&T), while the contract to supply 48 coaches was awarded to CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co. of China.

Rychtar had earlier called on the National Bureau of Investigation to include De Vera in its investigation on the alleged extortion attempt.

According to Bureau of Immigration records, De Vera left the country on Sept. 18, 2013 and has not returned to the country since.

It was also reported that the NBI has already finished its investigation though the report has yet to reach the office of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

Rychtar told GMA News that De Vera is currently in China.

De Vera also denied the allegation that he acted on behalf of the officials of the MRT, especially of Vitangcol.

“Personally, hindi ko po sila masyadong close. I am the aggrieved party. I feel low. Ginagawa akong kuwan, parang fall guy, sa isyu na 'to,” he said.

De Vera's former business partner Roehl Bacar, president of CB&T, said in an interview that his company's supposed six-month joint venture with PH Trams for the maintenance of MRT3 did not actually push through.

“After maybe three months or midway through the contract, they were not providing parts...midway through the contract, I bolted out from the joint venture as being the principal and lead partner,” Bacar said.

A source, who refused to be identifed, had earlier told GMA News that PH Trams failed to supply the signaling system for the MRT3 specified in the contract. Its partner, CB&T, had to shoulder the responsibility, the source said.

GMA News tried to reach De Vera again to get his reaction on Bacar's statement but his mobile phone could no longer be reached.

De Vera is a member of the administration Liberal Party and ran for mayor of Calasiao, Pangasinan in 2013 but lost the election. It was his third time to run for a local elected post and his third time to lose, "24 Oras" reported. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News