Matibag: Probing 2019 SEA Games complex has nothing to do with Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday said the bureau’s investigation into the alleged funding irregularities of a sports complex built in New Clark City, Tarlac which was used in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, is just “incidental.”

He added that it has nothing to do with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who chaired the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) at that time.

This came after Matibag revealed on Tuesday that they received information that around P10 billion was involved in the sports complex without undergoing liquidation, adding that “there was no bidding that took place, and the P10 billion was quickly paid through congressional insertion in the General Appropriations Act.”

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READ: Matibag to Cayetano: ‘I’m not dictating impeachment court’

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“I’m aware that he (Cayetano) was the chairman of Phisgoc, so it’s not a renewed interest. It just so happened that documents have come out now, which will lead us to investigate because all the issues that come in here regarding corruption or anything, even ordinary cases, when brought to us, will be investigated,” Matibag said in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

“It’s just so happened, it’s quite controversial, I heard that, I saw the news before. So once and for all, we’ll settle it whether there’s someone to be held accountable or not, or what the investigation is really about, so we need to have a report here,” he pointed out.

Matibag reiterated that they received the information about the alleged funding irregularities in the sports complex after their recent visit to New Clark City for the building of a 70-hectare NBI Academy.

He then said that the NBI already has documents showing a real need to investigate the project.

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He noted that he already created a task force composed of the NBI’s Financial Investigation Unit and Special Action Unit to probe the matter.

The NBI director also said the bureau will coordinate with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Commission on Audit, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

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“As we speak, we can’t say for sure that anyone has been identified, but there are personalities that we see in the documents that initially came to us,” Matibag said.

When asked about the critic’s comments that his intention to investigate the sports complex has something to do with “politicking,” specifically after his recent exchange of barbs with Cayetano, Matibag said, “I’m always respectful to everybody, especially to the member of the Senate. I’m not arguing with him.”

“It just so happens that he is involved here, and we will always go where the evidence will lead us, what the law is, what the process is,” he said.

“If we need to ask him, we will respectfully ask him and I’m sure Senator Allan, if he is also here, I’m sure he will appreciate that we investigate him properly,” said Matibag.

During the sixth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, Cayetano explained that the private sector paid for the sports complex, noting that “there was no public money used.”

The issue was brought up during the impeachment trial after the senator’s sister, Senator-judge Pia Cayetano, played Matibag’s video detailing the sports complex, accusing Matibag of trying to “intimidate” and “distract” them.

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Sen. Pia questioned if Matibag announced the investigation into the complex so that he would not be asked “tough” questions when he stands as a witness at the impeachment trial on Monday, July 20. /mr