Palace: NBI probe into 2019 SEA Games irregularities not meant to intimidate

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday defended the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, dismissing claims that it is intended to intimidate senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the NBI was merely carrying out its mandate to investigate reports of alleged irregularities, especially in government projects, and did not require authorization from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do so. “It is the mandate of the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police to investigate possible anomalies,” she said. “They do not need instructions from the president. That is their job.” “A person who has nothing to fear cannot be intimidated. The investigation is being conducted because there were legitimate issues dating back to 2019. It is not meant to intimidate or harass people who have done nothing wrong,” she added. Her remarks came after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano, questioned the timing of the planned investigation, arguing that it could be used to pressure senator-judges in the impeachment proceedings. Mr. Cayetano served as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), which organized the 2019 SEA Games. NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the bureau intends to examine alleged anomalies in the country’s hosting of the 2019 SEA Games, including about P10 billion in unliquidated funds, the lack of competitive bidding for some projects, and the controversial P50-million cauldron. READ: Cayetano-Matibag spat revives ‘kaldero’ issue According to Castro, the investigation stemmed from information relayed to Matibag in June during preparations for the establishment of the 70-hectare NBI Academy in New Clark City, where the SEA Games facilities were built. The Malacañang official also rejected claims that Cayetano was being singled out in the investigation. Castro said Matibag did not identify any specific individual as the target of the investigation and only acknowledged that anyone with relevant information could assist investigators. According to Castro, reports of alleged corruption during the project’s implementation were brought to the NBI chief’s attention, making an investigation the proper course of action. READ: Duterte admits ‘negligence’ in SEA Games preparations Castro also rejected suggestions that Malacañang would intervene if the investigation implicated Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, who previously chaired the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, which oversaw much of the infrastructure for the 2019 SEA Games. She said Dizon had already been investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman over the matter and was cleared of wrongdoing. Castro contrasted Dizon’s case with that of Mr. Cayetano, who was never formally investigated because former President Rodrigo Duterte had publicly cleared the senator before any investigation could proceed. The Inquirer, however, could not find any Ombudsman resolution dismissing the 2020 complaint filed against Dizon and three others by anti-corruption watchdog Citizens Crime Watch. /mcm