The chairperson of the Senate committee on public services said that P526 million “went down the drain” on the purchase of 48 China-made light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the expansion of MRT-3.

The Senator has called for the government to interrogate the former officials of the Department of Transportation, and asked for the cooperation of her colleagues to investigate the ex-Transport officials, stressing that they should be accountable for the wasted millions of the government agency.

According to Poe, out of the P3.8 billion deal, a total of P526 million has so far been paid by the government to Dalian Corporation.

She questioned the department on the installation of the Dalian trails that was bought from China, “Ano ba talaga ang balak gawin ng DOTr para ayusin ang MRT-3? At saan nila ginamit ang pondo ng MRT-3 Capacity Expansion Program last year? [What is really the plan of DOTr for the MRT-3? And where did they use the funds of the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion Program last year]?” Poe asked during the plenary debates on the DOTr’s proposed P70.4 billion spending program for 2018.

Poe said that the 48 trains are overweight and incompatible, it weighs about 49,000 kilograms each, and it reached the required “tolerance limit” of the MRT-3 tracks. Under the terms, the allowable tolerance limit should only be two percent or 926 kgs.

She concluded that it was a “clear grounds for canceling the order” and said that the purchase of the LRVs was a big mistake.

“It’s just common sense. You haven’t even filled it with passengers yet the train is already overweight and our rails might not be able to take it,” Poe said.

She added that the possible bidding and subsequent purchase of reliable trains will be costly and will take long litigation.

“We should have a contingency working in another way to procure while there’s ongoing litigation,” the senator stated.

DOTr has said earlier that they are considering to return incompatible coaches to China.