Former MRT General Manager To Be Charged By Ombudsman

By Gilbert July 3, 2015 Government 0 Comments

Former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III is wanted by the

ombudsman charged for graft and corruption.

The MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol III allegedly given the

maintenance contract of the MRT to one company in which he has

a relative.

This is not allowed under the law. The MRT General Manager

violated the provision of R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt

Practices Act.

The Ombudsman wanted to file a case for graft and violation of

the government procurement reform act against the former MRT

General Manager.

Aside from the former MRT General Manager, 5 other incorporators

of the company PH Trams might also be charged for the illegal

maintenance contract of the MRT.

The 5 other PH Trams Incorporators according to the Ombudsman

resolution are the following:

This is in connection with the 350 million pesos contract for

the temporary maintenance of MRT.

In 2012, the original maintenance provider of MRT expired.

The Ombudsman, an independent government agency which prosecutes

government officials who violates the law said that the giving

of the maintenance contract to PH Trams was illegal because

the former MRT General Manager hide the fact that he is related

to Arturo Soriano, one of the PH Trams Incorporators.

The Ombudsman Resolution specifically said that the former MRT

General Manager “intentionally hid his relationship with Arturo

Soriano” a very clear violation of the law.

Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said that PH Trams should

have been automatically disqualified from bidding the

maintenance contract.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya was absolved of

any liability caused by the illegal contract.

The Ombudsman in absolving the Transportation Secretary said

that “it could not be said, therefor that, he was privy to any

transaction or negotiation before said date”.

The anomalous contract happened one day before he was appointed

as DOTC Secretary.