NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag has challenged Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday if he wants to personally question him.
Matibag said he had already received an invitation from the committee led by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, whom he recognizes as the legitimate chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
According to the NBI chief, he is prepared to answer all questions that Cayetano may raise during the scheduled hearing.
The statement came after Cayetano challenged Matibag to appear before the Senate and present evidence related to information received by the National Bureau of Investigation alleging that 18 former Marines were each paid P5 million to testify against former congressman Elizaldy Co.
However, Matibag maintained that he does not recognize the committee that conducted a hearing on Thursday under the leadership of Cayetano’s camp.
He said a verbal invitation is not sufficient for an official Senate hearing and stressed that any invitation should come from the Blue Ribbon Committee that he considers legitimate.
Matibag added that if Cayetano truly wants to question him regarding the issue, the Senate President can attend the hearing scheduled for Monday, where he is expected to appear.
The dispute centers on the legitimacy of the committee proceedings and the allegations involving the reported payments to former Marines who were set to testify against Co. Matibag reiterated his willingness to face questions during the hearing recognized by his office.
