By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday expressed support for the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, but challenged the government to pursue an equally aggressive investigation into the controversial flood control projects.
In a livestream on social media, Cayetano said he welcomes a thorough examination of the SEA Games expenditures and insisted he has nothing to hide regarding the event, where the Philippines emerged as overall champion.
The senator, however, proposed what he described as a reciprocal effort from the government.
“If the NBI, the Department of Justice, and Malacañang are serious about uncovering the truth behind the SEA Games spending, then the Senate minority is equally prepared to scrutinize the billions of pesos poured into flood control projects,” he said.
Cayetano said he and fellow minority senators are willing to spearhead a Senate investigation into the flood control program if the executive branch gives its full backing to the ongoing inquiries.
He also urged Malacañang to support Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo in pursuing the flood control investigation, saying the issue deserves the same level of urgency being given to the SEA Games probe.
The minority leader’s remarks came after NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced the creation of a task force to investigate alleged procurement irregularities in the construction of the New Clark City sports complex used during the 2019 SEA Games.
Matibag earlier disclosed that investigators are looking into allegations involving approximately P10 billion in project expenditures, including claims of unliquidated funds and possible procurement violations.
Cayetano has questioned the timing of the NBI announcement, suggesting it coincided with the ongoing Senate impeachment proceedings in which Matibag is expected to testify as a witness.
His sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, also raised concerns that the public disclosure of the investigation could be perceived as an attempt to influence or distract the impeachment court.
Malacañang has since dismissed those allegations, maintaining that the NBI inquiry is an independent investigation and is unrelated to the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
ia/xf
