Relieved MRT chief found out too late contract awarded to uncle-in-law

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 11 years ago

Al Vitangcol III was replaced Monday as general manager of the Metro Rail Transit 3 following reports that the controversial official gave a P517-million maintenance contract to a relative. INQUIRER PHOTOS/LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — Relieved Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) General Manager Al Vitangcol III said he belatedly found out that he was related to an incorporator of a winning bidder.

During a hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Vitangcol said he only knew about Arturo Soriano, one of the director-incorporators of PhilTrams, in September 2012.

Soriano is the brother of Vitangcol’s wife’s mother. This means Soriano is Vitangcol’s uncle-in-law and Vitangcol’s wife’s uncle.

PhilTrams was awarded the contract to provide tracks and trains for MRT-3 in October 2012.

Vitangcol said he asked Soriano to divest his shares in the firm as it would not be proper because of their family relationship.

“I directly told him it would be improper on his and my part,” Vitangcol said.

Soriano was no longer part of the project at the time PhilTrams won the contract, Vitangcol added.

Vitangcol was criticized in a newspaper column for awarding the contract to his wife’s uncle.