NBI to Subpoena Former Phisgoc Officials Over 2019 SEA Games Irregularities

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to subpoena former officials of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) over alleged irregularities that marred the country’s hosting of the 2019 SEA Games. NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed this. Among those to be subpoenaed are Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Phisgoc chair in 2019; Dexter Estacio, Phisgoc chief financial officer; and John Lester Buenconsejo, Phisgoc corporate secretary. They will be issued subpoenas on Monday, requiring them to appear before the bureau on Friday, July 24, to provide oral testimonies and necessary documents. The NBI has formed a task force to investigate allegations of unliquidated funds amounting to approximately P10 billion, the lack of competitive bidding for certain projects, and the controversial P50-million cauldron construction, among other issues. Matibag also stated that the bureau would investigate claims that Phisgoc did not undergo proper auditing and liquidation. Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman has also reopened its files pertaining to the case. Chief Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Friday that his staff would retrieve the entire file from 2021 to examine it for any violations of law. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who headed the SEA Games organizing body at the time, has accused Matibag of attempting to intimidate him, particularly in light of his role as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Matibag, however, questioned why Cayetano reacted to the investigation when his name was not initially mentioned, suggesting that Cayetano might have something to answer for. Phisgoc was a privately formed foundation established in 2018 to manage the logistics, marketing, and operations for the 2019 SEA Games. Its legitimacy as the organizing body had been questioned. In 2019, Suzara defended the foundation, stating it was incorporated in compliance with International Olympic Committee rules and was supported by government agencies as directed by Memorandum Circular No. 56 from then-President Rodrigo Duterte. In November 2020, Cayetano stated that Phisgoc was "open to investigation but we’re against witch hunts," following Senator Risa Hontiveros’ call for a thorough probe into alleged irregular deals, particularly the P9.5 billion spent on the main sports venue in New Clark City. Furthermore, in December 2020, over 13 months after the Games concluded, the Commission on Audit reported that Phisgoc and the Philippine Olympic Committee had yet to liquidate P2.2 billion and P535 million, respectively, received for the regional event. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo