The Court of Appeals reaffirmed its decision that upheld the dismissal from the service of former Metro Rail Transit Authority General Manager Al Vitangcol III who was also barred perpetually from holding public office.
Vitangcol’s dismissal was a result of an administrative case filed against him in his attempt to extort $30 million from a Czech firm INEKON that supplied light rail vehicles for the MRT 3.
Last year’s CA decision stated: “Vitangcol’s liability for grave misconduct is also beyond doubt. His failed attempts to extort money from INEKON’s representative in exchange for the contract under Lot 1 and to forge a joint venture agreement with INEKON and a group of people that he himself proposed involve the element of corruption and constitute willful intent to violate the law.”
Vitangcol filed a motion to reconsider the CA decision. But the CA said Vitangcol failed to raise new arguments to warrant the reversal of the decision dated July 3, 2017.
“We do not find any bona fide effort on the part of Vitangcol to present additional matters or reiterate his arguments in a different light. Thus, there is no need to reconsider or revisit what was already presented before this Court when we rendered the July 3, 2017 decision,” the CA said in a resolution that dismissed the motion for reconsideration. (Rey G. Panaligan)