MRT chief files perjury case vs Czech envoy

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Rail Transit (MRT) general manager Al Vitangcol on Monday filed a perjury complaint against Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar at the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

Ambassadors are immune from prosecution or arrest in their host country.

Vitangcol filed the case after Rychtar had accused him of extorting money from Czech firm Inekon Group in exchange for the contract to supply 48 trains to the MRT.

Earlier, Rychtar alleged that Vitangcol, through businessman Wilson de Vera, tried to extort $30 million from Inekon officials in July 2012.

Rychtar, in his signed affidavits submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation and to the House of Representatives committee on good government and public accountability, said the group of Vitangcol eventually lowered the amount to $2.5 million.

The ambassador said the alleged shakedown took place in a meeting at his residence on July 9, 2012.

Vitangcol maintained that he was not present during the meeting and that De Vera was not his emissary.

De Vera had earlier confirmed that he was at the meeting at Rychtar’s house but only to represent Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corp. (PH Trams), of which he is an incorporator.

The P3.8-billion contract for the supply of new MRT coaches was later awarded to CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co. of China after Inekon was disqualified from the bidding.

The maintenance contract, on the other hand, was awarded to PH Trams and its partner Commbuilders and Technology Philippines Corp.

The legal battle between Rychtar and Vitangcol would not derail the ongoing capacity expansion project of the MRT, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said yesterday.

Michael Arthur Sagcal, spokesman for the DOTC, said the exchange of cases between Rychtar and Vitangcol would not affect the delivery of 48 new MRT trains, a project “which was publicly bid out in accordance with the law.”  â€“  With Lawrence Agcaoili