‘Is there a deal?’: Cayetano to back SEA Games probe but sets a condition

MANILA, Philippines — Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday that he would support the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into the alleged procurement irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

However, the senator will only do this if the minority senators will be allowed to probe into the flood control mess.

This condition comes after the NBI Director Melvin Matibag recently announced that the bureau is looking into the procurements for the SEA Games in the Philippines, the committee of which was headed by Cayetano.

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“This is our proposal to the NBI, Malacanang and the DOJ: Investigate the 2010 Southeast Asian Games where we were the overall champions, and were looked up to by the entire Southeast Asia. Investigate thoroughly, give it your all,” Cayetano began in a Facebook livestream.

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“We will support you totally,” he promised.

“Then I, along with ten of our companions who are now in the minority, will investigate flood control. So what, deal?” he asked

He then urged the executive branch to tap Sen. Erwin Tulfo, the current chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, which continues the investigation into the flood control anomalies.

“So, that’s easy, Malacanang, because Senator Erwin, Senator Lacson, those in the Blue Ribbon, are following you. Just tap them,” Cayetano suggested.

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The senator recently called Matibag’s announcement an “intimidation” to the impeachment court, as Matibag himself is scheduled to be a witness to Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial on July 22.

Cayetano was backed by his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, who previously chaired the Senate blue ribbon panel before she was replaced by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

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The Palace had refuted Cayetanos’ claim, saying the probe into the SEA Games was not meant to intimidate anyone. /apl

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