LRTA chief pledges cooperation in LRT-2 probe

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) expressed its willingness yesterday to face a congressional inquiry and provide lawmakers with all the documents necessary in the investigation of its alleged P1 billion rigged deal with a private firm.

LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles said they are willing to face the probe to dispute the claims made by Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano of the anomalous deal over an LRT project.

Robles emphasized the alleged anomalous transaction pointed out by Cayetano occurred before his appointment as LRTA chief in September last year.

"This (anomaly) happened before my term, sometime 2002 and 2003," he said.

Nonetheless, Robles said they will cooperate with Congress to shed light on Cayetano’s allegations.

"I am one with the government in cleansing the agency (LRTA) of all anomalous transactions. I welcome the congressional probe on the alleged irregularities in the LRTA," he said.

Cayetano earlier claimed that the LRTA entered into an anomalous transaction with REACH/Delta Bridge in overpricing equipment and technical services for the LRT Line-2 project.

Cayetano likewise questioned the circumstances surrounding the bidding of the contract.

He claimed the LRTA allowed the "rigged" bidding where the other bidders were found to be "interrelated" and awarded the contract to REACH/Delta Bridge.

Robles, for his part, said he will initiate a review of all the contracts and provide the documents needed for the congressional inquiry.

"I welcome Congressman Cayetano in his investigation. I will fully support him," he said.

Robles had reportedly exposed several anomalies in the agency, including the overpricing of spare parts of the LRT commuter trains.

Robles said he is willing to cooperate with Cayetano in pointing out other irregularities in the LRTA.

He cited the claims of Cayetano of the purchase of a grinding machine which was grossly overpriced by $1 million.

Robles said the machine, costing about $3.297 million, was bought before he took over the LRTA.

"What the LRTA is doing for the past months is all above board and within the procurement guidelines set by the foreign funding agency, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation," Robles said. — Sandy Araneta