Vitangcol goes on leave again

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) general manager Al Vitangcol III  had indeed gone back to office two weeks ago, but only for two days.

After that, he went on leave again.

Eden Mendoza, Vitangcol’s executive assistant detailed at the MRTC office of the general manager, told The STAR yesterday that her boss reported for work last Aug. 27 and 28, then went on leave again on Aug. 29.

The information regarding Vitangcol’s status is treated like classified information at the MRTC, with queries on the controversial official’s resumption of his duty answered back with questions on the “need to know” such information, even by their public information officers.

The inquiries are being referred to Mendoza, who is also reluctant to give information.

Vitangcol went on a 20-day leave last July after he was tagged by Czech Republic Ambassador Josef Rychtar as the official involved in an alleged $30-million extortion attempt on executives of Czech firm Inekon.

The company is offering to supply new trains for the MRT under a government-to-government deal.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya had appointed LRTA administrator Honorito Chaneco, his high school classmate at the Philippine Science High School, as MRTC officer-in-charge during Vitangcol’s leave.

Sources at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said that the MRTC had stopped giving the Light Rail Transit Authority updates and advisories last week, apparently because Vitangcol has returned to the MRTC.

Abaya on Friday said he would check if Vitangcol had indeed reassumed his post.