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NBI not yet done with Inekon extortion probe, invites contractor
By MARK MERUEÑAS, GMA News
(Updated, 10:41 p.m.) Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation is still investigating the extortion claim made against Metro Rail Transit general manager Al Vitangcol III, despite earlier coming up with a report on the matter.
Vitangcol was accused by Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar of trying to extort $30 million from Czech firm Inekon in exchange for a contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion project.
Inekon was reportedly blacklisted from the bidding after it refused to pay the government official.
De Lima also confirmed that Comm Builder Technology Philippines Corp (CB&T) president Roehl "Boyett" Bacar was invited by the NBI on Monday in connection with the extortion controversy.
CB&T and its partner Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corp. (PH Trams) were awarded the maintenance contract for the MRT project.
Rychtar was earlier quoted in reports as saying Bacar was "among the people involved in a cooked joint venture that transferred the maintenance of MRT from contractor Sumitoo to CB&T."
"Even if mayroong parang initial report na ang NBI, it doesn't mean na hinto na ang investigation. It's probably because nung ni-review ni NBI Director Virgilio Mendez iyong initial draft report ay baka napansin na hindi pa pala napatawag that particular personality," the Justice Secretary said.
De Lima clarified that all the names implicated by Rychtar in his sworn statement have already been sent subpoenas by the NBI.
"Iyong mga nag-cooperate ay nag-submit ng affidavits. At karamihan ay nakita ko na iyong kanilang sworn statements," she said.
However, De Lima added: "Probably that person [Bacar]... Wala pa akong nakitang sworn statements corresponding to that person kaya nga siguro pinatawag kahapon."
The extortion attempt allegedly took place while Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was still head of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Rychtar also accused one of PH Trams' incorporators, Wilson De Vera, of being involved. De Vera has denied the ambassador's claim.
Bacar and DOTC's Lotilla visit the NBI
Transportation undersecretary Rene Limcaoco and Bacar went to the NBI Foreign Liaison Division (FLD) on Monday. The two went to the NBI office separately.
Bacar submitted his sworn statement on the alleged extortion attempt, according to a report on "24 Oras" aired Monday evening.
Aside from being the president of CB&T, Bacar is also a member of the Mandaluyong City council. He said he is willing to go on leave from public office until the investigation is finished.
“I will ask permission from my boss if I can take a leave of absence,” Bacar said.
In an earlier interview with GMA News, Bacar said CB&T's joint venture with PH Trams for the maintenance of the MRT3 did not actually push through as PH Trams failed to supply the signaling system specified in the contract.
Bacar's legal counsel Jerusha Villanueva meanwhile questioned Ambassador Rychtar's involvement in the MRT project.
“Why is the ambassador acting as parang salesman of Inekon? What is the authority from his government?” Villanueva said.
GMA News was still trying to reach Rychtar for a reaction as of posting time, but in a recent exclusive interview with GMA News, he said promoting the business interests of his country is part of his job as an ambassador.
“Our position is, as an ambassador...you have to promote business of your country. This is really a work of an ambassador,” Rychtar said then.
Transportation undersecretary Limcaoco, meanwhile, is set to submit his counter-affidavit to the NBI in the coming days, “24 Oras” reported.
In his affidavit submitted to the NBI, Rychtar said he and Inekon board chairman and chief executive officer Josef Husek met with Limcaoco a day before the bidding for the contract to supply coaches for the MRT expansion project started.
Limcaoco, in an earlier report, denied Rychtar's allegations. “We were not involved in any alleged extortion. We were not present in any alleged meeting,” he said. — with Elizabeth Marcelo/BM/JDS, GMA News
Vitangcol was accused by Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar of trying to extort $30 million from Czech firm Inekon in exchange for a contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion project.
Inekon was reportedly blacklisted from the bidding after it refused to pay the government official.
De Lima also confirmed that Comm Builder Technology Philippines Corp (CB&T) president Roehl "Boyett" Bacar was invited by the NBI on Monday in connection with the extortion controversy.
CB&T and its partner Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corp. (PH Trams) were awarded the maintenance contract for the MRT project.
Rychtar was earlier quoted in reports as saying Bacar was "among the people involved in a cooked joint venture that transferred the maintenance of MRT from contractor Sumitoo to CB&T."
"Even if mayroong parang initial report na ang NBI, it doesn't mean na hinto na ang investigation. It's probably because nung ni-review ni NBI Director Virgilio Mendez iyong initial draft report ay baka napansin na hindi pa pala napatawag that particular personality," the Justice Secretary said.
De Lima clarified that all the names implicated by Rychtar in his sworn statement have already been sent subpoenas by the NBI.
"Iyong mga nag-cooperate ay nag-submit ng affidavits. At karamihan ay nakita ko na iyong kanilang sworn statements," she said.
However, De Lima added: "Probably that person [Bacar]... Wala pa akong nakitang sworn statements corresponding to that person kaya nga siguro pinatawag kahapon."
The extortion attempt allegedly took place while Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was still head of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). Rychtar also accused one of PH Trams' incorporators, Wilson De Vera, of being involved. De Vera has denied the ambassador's claim.
Bacar and DOTC's Lotilla visit the NBI
Transportation undersecretary Rene Limcaoco and Bacar went to the NBI Foreign Liaison Division (FLD) on Monday. The two went to the NBI office separately.
Bacar submitted his sworn statement on the alleged extortion attempt, according to a report on "24 Oras" aired Monday evening.
Aside from being the president of CB&T, Bacar is also a member of the Mandaluyong City council. He said he is willing to go on leave from public office until the investigation is finished.
“I will ask permission from my boss if I can take a leave of absence,” Bacar said.
In an earlier interview with GMA News, Bacar said CB&T's joint venture with PH Trams for the maintenance of the MRT3 did not actually push through as PH Trams failed to supply the signaling system specified in the contract.
Bacar's legal counsel Jerusha Villanueva meanwhile questioned Ambassador Rychtar's involvement in the MRT project.
“Why is the ambassador acting as parang salesman of Inekon? What is the authority from his government?” Villanueva said.
GMA News was still trying to reach Rychtar for a reaction as of posting time, but in a recent exclusive interview with GMA News, he said promoting the business interests of his country is part of his job as an ambassador.
“Our position is, as an ambassador...you have to promote business of your country. This is really a work of an ambassador,” Rychtar said then.
Transportation undersecretary Limcaoco, meanwhile, is set to submit his counter-affidavit to the NBI in the coming days, “24 Oras” reported.
In his affidavit submitted to the NBI, Rychtar said he and Inekon board chairman and chief executive officer Josef Husek met with Limcaoco a day before the bidding for the contract to supply coaches for the MRT expansion project started.
Limcaoco, in an earlier report, denied Rychtar's allegations. “We were not involved in any alleged extortion. We were not present in any alleged meeting,” he said. — with Elizabeth Marcelo/BM/JDS, GMA News
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