Bayan Muna seeks probe on alleged MRT project extort try

MANILA, Philippines - Party-list group Bayan Muna sought yesterday a congressional inquiry into allegations that some officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) tried to extort millions of dollars in exchange for a supply contract of train coaches.

Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate filed a resolution directing the House committees on transportation, good government, and public accountability to investigate the allegation of Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar that certain DOTC officials demanded $30 million from executives of Inekon Group to bag the contract to supply trains for the Metro Rail Transit 3.

The P3.77-billion contract was aimed at adding 48 coaches to MRT 3’s existing 73-car fleet.

Colmenares and Zarate said the alleged report of the Czech government was that the substantial sum of money was for advance facilitation fees asked by certain people close to President Aquino for assurance that the contract would go to Czech firm Inekon.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya denied the allegations while Malacañang challenged Rychtar to provide evidence.

Earlier reports said one of the ambassador’s complaints was the non-action of Palace officials to their letter on the extortion attempt by the DOTC officials.

“It is best that an independent investigation should be conducted to find out whether such anomalous transactions took place, to hold accountable corrupt public officials who drain public funds through corrupt public-private partnership projects,” Colmenares and Zarate said.