Dahil sa mataas na singil ng mga prominenteng abogado, hiniling ni dating Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 General Manager Al Vitangcol sa Sandiganbayan Third Division na italaga ang Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) bilang pansamantalang kinatawan niya sa pagdinig ng kasong graft na kanyang kinahaharap.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed before this Honorable Court that the Public Attorney’s Office be appointed as counsel de oficio of the herein accused until such time that a counsel de parte has been engaged by the said accused,” saad sa mosyon ni Vitangcol.

Sinabi ni Vitangcol na sa kanyang unang pakikipag-usap sa isang prominenteng law firm ay humihingi na agad ang mga ito ng P1 milyon bilang acceptance at legal fee.

“The institution of this instant case, together with the seemingly calculated and biased press releases of the Office of the Ombudsman, had effectively ruined the reputation and integrity of the herein accused. Thus, he was not able to get new clients in the exercise of his profession and greatly diminished his earning capacity,” paliwanag ng akusado.

Aniya, simula nang ilabas ng korte ang hold departure order laban sa kanya ay malaki na ang nalugi sa kanyang negosyo.

“Thus, it would take time for the accused to generate and accumulate the funds necessary to pay for his counsel de parte,” aniya.

Si Vitangcol ay kinasuhan ng paglabag sa Government Procurement Act at Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act dahil sa umano’y maanomalyang pagkakaloob ng maintenance contract ng MRT noong 2012.

Noong Enero 21, tumangging maghain si Vitangcol ng plea nang siya ay basahan ng sakdal sa Sandiganbayan Third Division. (Jeffrey G. Damicog)