President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration was challenged by Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to allow investigations into both the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and alleged anomalies in flood control projects to move forward at the same time.
Cayetano said he supports the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into the alleged bidding and funding irregularities involving projects for the 2019 SEA Games. However, he said the Senate minority bloc should also be allowed to continue its investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
The senator made the proposal as he challenged the NBI, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Malacañang to pursue both investigations simultaneously.
“Deal?” Cayetano said, offering his support for the SEA Games investigation if authorities also allow the flood control inquiry to proceed.
Meanwhile, NBI Director Melvin Matibag clarified that the bureau has not identified any specific individual as the subject of its investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the 2019 SEA Games.
Matibag said the investigation is focused on the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), consistent with the agency’s mandate to examine possible violations related to the event.
He also denied claims that the investigation was intended to intimidate anyone or that it was connected to the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
The NBI maintained that its inquiry is limited to determining whether there were irregularities in the conduct of the 2019 SEA Games projects and is being carried out as part of its regular investigative functions.
