DOTC: Ex-MRT chief relieved, not resigned
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Thursday clarified that former Metro Rail Transit general manager Al Vitangcol III was relieved from his post due to conflict of interest.
Vitangcol earlier claimed that he resigned as MRT chief and was neither fired nor removed.
READ: Vitangcol links Mar, Abaya to MRT anomalies
The DOTC said in a statement that Vitangcol was relieved of his duties following his undeclared conflict of interest in the MRT maintenance contract.
The agency stressed that its officials had no knowledge that Vitangcol's uncle by affinity was a director of PH Trams that joined a bidding for the contract.
"It was this apparent act of dishonesty that served as basis for his being relieved of his duties as General Manager, since all trust and confidence in him was lost," the statement read.
The DOTC cited that the former MRT general manager admitted under oath during a House of Representatives committee hearing in 2014 that he was indeed relieved of his duties.
Vitangcol has linked Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to the alleged anomalies on MRT contracts.
This follows the statement of Roxas during a presidential debate in Cebu City that Vitangcol was removed from his post in 2014 due to conflict of interest.
The Office of the Ombudsman found Vitangcol guilty of having a conflict of interest in the bid involving PH Trams.
"These findings reinforced the DOTC's loss of trust and confidence in Vitangcol due to his failure to disclose his relationship, which casted doubt on his honesty and character," the DOTC said.
Vitangcol is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan after allegedly being involved in the grant of the $1.15 million MRT maintenance deal to PH Trams.
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