De Lima won’t confirm NBI findings on alleged MRT extortion

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday refused to confirm the reported finding of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the alleged $30-million extortion attempt in connection with the Metro Rail Transit 3 expansion project pending approval of Malacañang.

She said the NBI report was submitted to the Office of the President and she would have to wait for clearance before releasing it to the public.

“Until I get a clearance from the President that we can release the NBI report, I do not want to confirm nor deny such recommendations. But definitely there are recommendations in the report,” she explained.

“Let’s just wait for the clearance. I think it will be released soon anyway,” she added.

De Lima was reacting to a radio report that the NBI has recommended the filing of attempted extortion charges against resigned MRT general manager Al Vitangcol III and several others stemming from allegations by former Czech ambassador Josef Rychtar and executives of the railway firm Inekon Group.

She only confirmed that the NBI report submitted to the Palace included findings and recommendations, but did not elaborate.

De Lima also hinted that Vitangcol – if indeed found liable in the extortion try – could still be charged even if he had already resigned from his post.

“It does not necessarily follow that if a subject of an investigation already resigned, he or she is already exonerated from the charges. There could still be basis to run after the person, especially if the resignation was intended to evade the filing of cases,” she said.

She also explained that the NBI findings are independent from that of the Office of the Ombudsman, which conducted its own investigation into the controversy.

Vitangcol and businessman Wilson de Vera are reportedly facing criminal and administrative charges before the anti-graft body in connection with the P3.8-billion MRT-3 capacity expansion project.

Earlier this week, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the recommendation of the Field Investigation Office to conduct a preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication against Vitangcol and De Vera.

Vitangcol and De Vera are accused of violating Section 3 (b) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

On the other hand, Vitangcol also faces administrative charges for alleged “Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.”

De Vera was the director of PH Trams Corporation, which bagged a maintenance contract in MRT-3.

Last year, a special panel of Ombudsman field investigators was tasked to investigate reports of an alleged attempt to extort money from Czech company Inekon Group in exchange for a contract to supply trains to the MRT-3.