Manila Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo requested the reopening of the Senate’s investigation into the unused forty-eight (48) MRT-3 Dalian trains.
The new public service chair of the senate, inspected the MRT-3 depot along North Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday to check the trains purchased from Chinese manufacturer Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. in the amount of P3.8 billion.
According to the senator, the 48 Dalian trains sets from China were unused and left dusty after being delivered in 2017.
Furthermore, the senator also explained that a different criminal case should be filed than the one previously filed, in order to avoid double jeopardy.
Tulfo said that if the government were to use and operate the express trains, the government would have to find two (2) billion pesos per year just for the maintenance of the trains.
Senator also proposed to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to negotiate the contract of the trains instead of spending huge amounts for the maintenance of defective trains.
In addition, the senator also mentioned that he will call a hearing in the Senate after the Senate recess to discuss and recover the money spent for the abandoned trains.