Cayetano slams NBI chief Matibag over SEA Games probe announcement

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday criticized National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag for announcing the agency’s plan to probe the procurements for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in the Philippines.

Cayetano, who headed the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, made the manifestation at the start of the sixth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, a day after Matibag’s announcement.

“Investigate whatever you want to investigate. You want to investigate why I grew a beard? Investigate it. No problem with me. But don’t announce it because it will affect the integrity of the court,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

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READ: NBI probes funding ‘irregularities’ in 2019 SEA Games Clark complex

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He also reiterated his earlier statement to the NBI chief after the agency’s agents attempted to arrest Senator Bato Dela Rosa over alleged crimes against humanity, charges Dela Rosa faces before the International Criminal Court.

READ: NBI chief: Dela Rosa should ‘surrender’ along with firearms

“Director, we were not taken down, so don’t try to take down this representation or this impeachment court because what you’re doing is not helping,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

Senator-judge Pia Cayetano, sister of Sen. Alan, also took the podium to express her dismay over Matibag’s actions, just a week before he is set to testify as a witness in the trial.

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“I am bothered. There’s no jurisdiction in the world that allows a judge to be pressured and intimidated,” she said.

She then addressed her colleagues in the session hall: “Why would you allow a director who was called to be a witness next week to brag that he’s going to investigate?”

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Pia Cayetano also vowed that if the same happened to any of their colleagues, she would stand up for them regardless of their views.

“I am upset to hear this. I will stand up for each one of you. I don’t care which side you are on, I will stand up for you if somebody tries to intimidate you,” she said. /mcm

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