2019 SEA Games Controversy: NBI Probe Rekindled, But Key Figures Cleared

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a probe into alleged anomalies surrounding the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. However, key figures like Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), and Vince Dizon, former head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), have been cleared in previous investigations. NBI Director Melvin Matibag stated that the agency will investigate any issue involving corruption, noting that new documents have come to light, leading to this renewed probe. The investigation will also include MTD Capital Berhad, a Malaysian company that received P10 billion from government appropriations. Dizon, as the head of BCDA, entered into an agreement with the Malaysian firm. During his tenure as PHISGOC chairperson, Cayetano faced scrutiny over his dual role as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, which raised constitutional concerns. Additionally, approximately P1.5 billion in public funds for broadcast expenses and talent fees reportedly did not undergo public bidding. Cayetano defended these expenditures, stating they were exemptions to procurement laws and subject to government guidelines and liquidation. In 2020, complaints of graft and malversation were filed with the Office of the Ombudsman against Dizon and other BCDA officials. The allegations centered on the joint venture agreement (JVA) between BCDA and MTD Capital Berhad for the New Clark City project, which complainants argued was grossly disadvantageous to the government. However, in December 2021, the Ombudsman dismissed both criminal and administrative complaints due to insufficiency of evidence. The resolution stated there was no basis to find that the JVA was "grossly and manifestly disadvantageous to the government." While the NBI has reopened its investigation, the prior clearance of Cayetano and Dizon suggests their direct involvement might be limited. The recurring issues surrounding fund management and procurement in large-scale events in the Philippines highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability.