MRT exec allegedly assaulted by boss

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Rail Transit Line 3 general manager Rudy Garcia allegedly physically assaulted another official of the MRT-3 during a meeting with executives of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday. 

In a report to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Michael Capati, director for operations of the MRT-3, claimed that Garcia attacked him.  

“GM Rudy Garcia physically assaulted me in front of AusAID, ADB and Transportation Undersecretary Tj Batan. FYI,” read Capati’s text message to Tugade.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) neither confirmed nor denied the incident.

The DOTr said Tugade sent his chief of staff Artemio Tuazon Jr. “to look into the matter.”

“The DOTr and the MRT-3 will handle the problem in a professional manner. We will manage this internally,” the DOTr said in a statement. 

The STAR tried but failed to reach Capati and Garcia for comment.

MRT-3 insiders said Garcia and Capati are “not on good terms.”

Capati allegedly bypasses his boss regarding the MRT-3 rehabilitation program.

Another source said Capati had an ax to grind against Garcia after the latter allegedly did not rehire his 36 technical staff.