GUILTY ang hatol ng Sandiganbayan Third Division kay dating Metro Rail Transit general manager Al Vitangcol III sa kinakaharap nitong kasong graft kaugnay ng pinasok nitong kontrata sa kompanya kung saan incorporator ang tiyuhin ng kanyang asawa.
Si Vitangcol ay hinatulan na makulong ng anim hanggang walong taon sa kasong graft at anim hanggang walong taon sa kasong paglabag sa Government Procurement Reform Act at pinagbabawalan na makapasok sa gobyerno.
Ganito rin ang hatol sa kanyang kapwa akusado na si Arturo Soriano, incorporator ng PH Trams at tiyuhin ng misis ni Vitangcol.
“In this case, accused Soriano is clearly in conspiracy with accused Vitangcol III. He knew from the start that his firm has dealings with DoTC wherein his nephew-in-law, accused Vitangcol III, is a member of the BAC and team leader of the Negotiating Team, among other,” saad ng 45-pahinang desisyon. “Yet he did not divulge this relationship to the Board of Directors of PH Trams and to the BAC. His silence and non-disclosure of this fact paved the way to the eventual qualification of PH Trams during evaluation and negotiations.”
Ang PH Trams at joint venture partner nito na Comm Builders and Technology Philippines Corporation ang nanalo sa six-month interim maintenance contract ng MRT noong 2012.
Bagamat sinabi umano ni Soriano sa kanyang depensa na wala na siyang shares at interes sa PH Trams, nakasaad sa kanyang Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth na mayroong siyang financial/business interest sa PH Trams noong Disyembre 2012.
Napawalang sala naman ang mga kapwa akusado nila na sina PH Trams executives Wilson De Vera, Marlo de la Cruz, Manolo Maralit, at Federico Remo.
“Aside from the affidavit of disclosure itself, there is no other proof presented by the prosecution to show conspiracy,” saad ng korte.