By Paul Atienza
The Daily Tribune
The Daily Tribune
Several weeks of reports on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 project where the presidential sister and her husband were linked to the alleged extortion try on Czech company, Inekon, Ballsy Aquino only yesterday, in an interview, challenged those behind what she called “rumors” to come out in the open, while denying that she had anything to do with Inekon or the MRT-3 project, where another Aquino cousin, businessman Jorge Aquino-Lichauco, was being named among those pushing the MRT-3 supply contract to be awarded to Czech coach manufacturer Inekon Group.
Ballsy and her husband Eldon Cruz were linked to the extortion try of $30 million in exchange for the Czech firm Inekon to secure the contract to supply trains for the MRT 3.
It was reported that Ballsy and her husband went to Prague in 2011 and met with Czech Ambassador Josef Rychtar, who brought up the extortion attempt, but inexplicably cleared the couple .
that Rychtar has already spoken, and quoted him as saying that he had talked to some people who are doubtful.
In explaining her trip to Prague in 2011, she said she was with her husband in Paris for a business trrip, who was with his boss, whom she did not name.
She claimed that they went to Prague because her sister, Pinky, who had been to the Czech Republic’s Capital, enthused about seeing the Sto. Nino, saying: “We went there and I got my wish.”
Ballsy also denied that she and her group met with any official or businessman, nor were they welcomed by anyone at the airport, saying that even the Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn Austria-Garcia did not meet them, because she (Ballsy) knew how much of a headache ambassadors have when Filipinos want to be met and fetched.
The logbooks and CCTV cameras in the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic should have the pictures and logbooks, and the investigators, whether the NBI or the House of representatives should order the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic to have these brought if they really want to get at the truth, no matter who gets hurt.
If the logbook has been altered or torn, or the CCTV film has been erased, that will be known too.
Presidential Deputy spokesman Abigail Valte refused to comment on the possibility of having Ambassador Rychtar declared by the Aquino administration “persona non grata for sowing malicious unsubstantiated intrigues” against the relatives of President Aquino and close associates of his family who allegedly tried to extort $30 million from a Czech-based contractor Inekon.
Valte reiterated that Aquino had already asked the Justice Department to start its investigations on the published reports on the alleged extortion attempt by his relatives and close associates of his family and other officials in the administration.
Valte told the Tribune that it would be better to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter of declaring a foreign diplomat whose acts could be considered offensive to the host country and the processes on how to declare a perosna non grata.
“Better ask the DFA,” Valte said.
DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez informed the Tribune that the instrumentalities of the national government have been ordered to conduct a probe on the issues of anomalies affecting the MRT 3 coaches project.
“I believe this issue is being looked into by concerned agencies. Let’s wait for the result of the investigation,” Hernandez said.
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations Article 9, a receiving State may “at any time and without having to explain its decision” declare any member of a diplomatic staff persona non grata. A person so declared is considered unacceptable and is usually recalled to his or her home nation. If not recalled, the receiving State “may refuse to recognize the person concerned as a member of the mission.”
While diplomatic immunity protects mission staff from prosecution for violating civil and criminal laws, depending on rank, under Articles 41 and 42 of the Vienna Convention, they are bound to respect national laws and regulations. Breaches of these articles can lead to a persona non grata declaration being used to punish erring staff.
Valte had also said in the regular press briefing in Malacañang that Aquino had ordered already the Department of Justice and its investigating agency, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to do the investigation.
The nationalist bloc in the House of Representatives had vowed to conduct also its independent inquiry in aid of legislation.
“Explanation (on MRT scam)? That is something that normally happens. Yes, it (investigation) was announced yesterday (Monday),” Valte said.
Valte said Justice secretary Leila de Lima as well as Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya have been informed already and confirmed that Aquino wanted the NBI agents to conduct the investigation of the reported anomalies.
The Justice secretary said the thrust of President Aquino is to ascertain the facts and the truth and determine accountability, if warranted.
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