Padilla, Cayetano question timing of NBI probe into 2019 SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judges Robin Padilla and Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday questioned the timing of the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the alleged irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Both lawmakers issued their pronouncements as senator-judges during the sixth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte

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In separate manifestations, Padilla and Cayetano linked the timing of the investigation to Cayetano questioning Matibag’s request to move the date of his appearance before the impeachment court.

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The NBI chief earlier asked for a reset of his date for testifying as he is set to attend a regional summit on transnational crime in Bangkok, Thailand hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI and the Royal Thai Police.

Cayetano chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Organizing Committee during the country’s hosting of the Sea games.

For his part, Padilla pointed out that he himself was supposed to go to Iran, but canceled as a show of respect to the impeachment trial.

He also cited the cases of Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada, also questioning the timing of their arrests and how it coincides with the conduct of the impeachment trial.

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“Should we be afraid? Should we be afraid that the timing seems to be too exact? Aren’t we an independent court? We have the right given by the Constitution to conduct this hearing?” Padilla asked.

Meanwhile, Cayetano tagged the NBI investigation as another attempt to create a “chilling effect,” likening it to the Senate shooting — which was started by the firing of a gun by then-Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca.

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He also likewise questioned whether the investigation was due to him challenging Matibag’s request to have his appearance moved.

“So is it an accident that yesterday, suddenly after I mentioned it and after the weekend, many have been talking that maybe it shouldn’t be 16?” said Cayetano in a lengthy manifestation, spanning almost 13 minutes.

Cayetano also pointed out how the 2019 SEA Games had been investigated several times in the past, daring Matibag to push through with the investigation.

“If you think there’s something wrong, investigate it. But isn’t it unfair to me and unfair to the court that it happened when he was going to be summoned … What? Are you going to intimidate me?” asked Cayetano.

“I won’t ask you on Monday because you’re going to announce that you’re going to investigate me?” the senator resumed posing questions.

“Wouldn’t it be unfair if I reversed it: I investigated yesterday and it turned out the director was being hot-headed because there was a contractor who was given the land for the NBI, but what he wants is his own contractor. Would that be fair to him? No, it would be a ‘marites’ accusation,” he said.

“Marites” is a Filipino slang term that refers to someone who shares gossip or unverified information.

It should be noted that Matibag has yet to actually explicitly mention Cayetano in the investigation, only stating that the funds used for the 2019 SEA Games will be probed.

Meanwhile, although the length of senator-judges’ manifestations is subject to the discretion of the presiding officer, such manifestations are, nonetheless, expected to remain relevant to the matters before the impeachment trial.

Inquirer has asked impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol whether senator-judges are allowed to make manifestations loosely related to the proceedings, but it has yet to receive a response as of writing.

The Senate impeachment court is currently tackling Article IV of the impeachment complaints against Duterte, which involve the alleged assassination threats she made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. /apl

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