Palace ‘curious’ why Czech envoy talks to media over MRT extortion try
MANILA, Philippines – For the President’s spokesperson, it was certainly “curious” that the Czech envoy to the Philippines talks to the media instead of discussing the alleged extortion attempt in a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) project with the authorities.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was reacting to the allegation of Czech Republic Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar during a television interview that MRT manager Al Vitangcol is “protected” by influential persons.
The Czech envoy alleged that Vitangcol tried to extort $30 million from the Inekon Group of the Czech Republic in the contract for additional MRT coaches.
“It’s certainly interesting, curious why he does that … if it’s true that he has not presented any testimony before the National Bureau of Investigation, and let me say that that’s a qualification,” Lacierda said, who was unsure if Vitangcol made an effort to face authorities on the alleged extortion attempt.
“We’d certainly be curious why he’s doing that way and not helping the proper investigative bodies to do their jobs,” he added.
Lacierda advised Rychtar to talk to proper authorities instead of talking to the media.
Article continues after this advertisement“The important thing is, if you have an allegation, if you’re willing to face and present evidence of those allegations, then our investigative bodies are there to investigate,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Until such time that you are prepared to present evidence, we cannot work on statements coming from media,” Lacierda added.
The issue has raised concerns about the administration’s platform of good governance, especially as it involved some of the Liberal Party allies.
For one, an LP member Wilson De Vera was alleged to be Vitangcol’s envoy to Inekon who asked the company on behalf of Vitangcol to pay $30 million to win the bidding for the contract.
Rychtar and Inekon CEO Josef Husak supposedly refused, upsetting Vitangcol and De Vera, and landing Inekon on the blacklist.
The Department of Transportation and Communication has cleared Vitangcol, who denied the allegations.
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