De Lima on Friday admitted that while the NBI fact-finding team has completed its investigation on the controversy, the report still has to be reviewed by the bureau’s legal division.
“Ganoon ang SOP [standard operating procedure] sa NBI. Before they submit officially a report or before they release the transmittal, kung may papakasuhan nire-review muna iyan ng legal to make sure that the legal aspects are grounded on solid basis,” she said.
De Lima said from the NBI legal department, the report will next land on the desk of NBI Director Virgilio Mendoza for his approval. Only after Mendez has given his go signal will the report be transmitted to De Lima’s office.
“Since this is a high profile case, they might clear it with me before it is finally released,” De Lima said. “So I am actually waiting for it already. Standby na ako dyan sa report na iyan.”
Earlier reports, citing leaked documents, claimed that Vitangcol was cleared from possible charges for lack of evidence, and that claims that he demanded money from Czech firm Inekon Group was not corroborated.
The NBI investigated the alleged extortion upon instructions from President Benigno Aquino III.
Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar claimed Vitangcol and other officials tried to extort $30 million from Inekon in order for them to land a contract to supply 48 new trains for the MRT expansion. The firm was reportedly blacklisted from the bidding after it refused to pay the government officials.
The alleged extortion attempt took place when now Interior secretary Manuel Roxas II still headed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Vitangcol is currently on leave. — KBK, GMA News
