MANILA, Philippines—Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya described Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar as a “hard pusher” for his country’s industries, amid allegations that Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) officials tried to extort money from Rychtar in exchange for bagging government deals.
During Tuesday’s hearing by the committee on good government and public accountability in the House of Representatives, Abaya also said he observed that Rychtar seemed to want their train supplier Inekon Group to “bag everything” from maintenance to the supply of additional coaches.
“My impression is they really want to bag everything, because their proposal is to get supply coaches and maintenance contract,” Abaya said.
Rychtar’s allegations of an extortion stemmed from a supposed dinner with a certain Wilson De Vera, who claimed he was an envoy of MRT-3 General Manager Al Vitangcol.
Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
De Vera supposedly demanded $30 million from Inekon Group so that the Czech train builder could corner the contract to supply 48 new MRT coaches.
Abaya even described Rychtar as a “hard pusher” compared to other ambassadors in pushing for their industries to bag the contract.
“My personal interpretation of things when I met ambassador a few times, is he pushed harder than normal. That was my personal interpretation,” Abaya said.
For his part, recently relieved MRT GM Vitangcol vehemently denied Rychtar’s allegations dragging his name on the alleged extortion attempt.
“I categorically say the allegations made by Czech Ambassador are all lies as it pertains to me,” said Vitangcol, who was just relieved because of an improper familial relationship with a winning bidder for a separate MRT project.
He added that Rychtar also has “vested interest” in the additional coaches project, compelling him to make accusations against the MRT when they were not awarded the contract.
The winning bidder, Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company, offered to supply 48 coaches for $1.8 Million each, or a total of $86.4 Million. Inekon’s price was higher at $3.355 Million for each coach, or a total of $174.46 Million for 52 coaches, or $ 160.8 Million for 48 coaches.
“He also has vested interests on selling the coaches,” Vitangcol said.
Rychtar was invited but he was absent during the House inquiry.
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