NBI May Summon Ex-BCDA Chief Dizon Over SEA Games Funding Irregularities

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is open to summoning former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief and now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to shed light on its 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, according to Director Melvin Matibag. Matibag said this as he clarified that the allegations that surrounded Dizon in 2019 are different from what they are investigating, saying that the NBI already has a copy from the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution stating that the former BCDA chief’s graft and malversation charges in connection to the 2019 SEA Games were already junked. READ: Ombudsman: 2019 SEA Games raps vs. Dizon junked for lack of evidence “If the issue is about him in the infrastructure, there is already an answer. I said we already have a copy from the Ombudsman,” Matibag told reporters. “Now, if it is necessary to summon Secretary Vince Dizon, why, because he will give clarity to what we are investigating, even if Secretary Vince Dizon is not the one who will give clarity, we will summon him,” he explained when asked if Dizon will still be summoned by the NBI amid its investigation into the sports complex. According to Matibag, he was “surprised” when Dizon was mentioned after the bureau announced the probe. He said that the NBI will conduct a fact-finding not on the BCDA but on the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phiscog), which he said did not undergo proper auditing and liquidation. READ: Cayetano-Matibag spat revives ‘kaldero’ issue “What are we going to look at? The money that came in, because to my initial observation that was given to us, this is about P2.3 or P2.2 billion of government funds that were placed in Phiscog, which is an NGO (non-government organization), a foundation that was set up for that purpose,” Matibag said. “Because it is government money, it is the people’s money; this should be subjected to liquidation and audit. What are we going to audit? We have heard about the money paid to officials, the uniforms that were bought, the food that is said to be chicken longganisa, and then there is an allegation of kikiam, we will ask about that. We will find out,” he explained. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano chaired the Phiscog, which organized the 2019 SEA Games. The senator pointed out on Wednesday questioned the “timing” of the investigation, asserting that it is meant to “intimidate” him amid the current impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. /cb