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MANILA, Philippines – The transportation department has hired an international rail consultant to review the terms of the P3.8-billion procurement of train cars for the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) following extortion allegations by a Czech bidder.
In a press briefing on Monday, October 21, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency has tapped Barry Gardner to review the terms of reference of the MRT-3 capacity expansion project.
Gardner, Abaya said, has 45 years experience in international rail projects.
“He has confirmed his services and we expect to issue the notice to proceed. He has two weeks to review, afterwhich we will get his findings,” the DOTC chief stressed.
“If there are no irregularities in the TOR (terms of reference) then the notice to proceed would be issued right after,” he said.
The consultant would determine whether or not the terms of reference of the bidding for the acquisition of 48 new LRVs for the MRT3 along EDSA favored a certain bidder.
The joint special bids and awards committee of the DOTC and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is in the process of post qualifying the bid submitted by lone bidder CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co. Ltd. of China.
Grease money?
In June, Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar revealed that some transportation officials, including MRT-3 general manager Al Vitangcol III, tried to extort $30 million from Prague-based Inekon Group, one of the bidders.
The Inekon group through the Ambassador to the Philippines of Czech Republic offered to sell trains to the Philippine government under a concessional loan scheme through overseas development assistance (ODA).
The Inekon group was among the 5 companies that bought bidding documents from the DOTC but did not join the bidding.
Vitangcol back to work
Abaya said Vitangcol has reported for work after going on leave to ensure impartial investigation.
MRT-3 General Manager Al Vitangcol III had gone on leave to make way for the bribery probe.
The transportation chief said the agency is awaiting the testimony of those linked to the alleged extortion attempt. Vitangcol is not in any position to influence the testimony of those being summoned, he said.
“We felt that the remaining people that we are interested with, he is not in a position to influence the investigation,” he added. – Rappler.com
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