By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to issue subpoenas to key former officials of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to infrastructure built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in New Clark City, Tarlac.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday that subpoena orders will be served on Monday, directing the former PHISGOC officials to appear before investigators on July 24 and submit records relevant to the inquiry.
Among those expected to receive subpoenas are former PHISGOC chairman Ramon “Tats” Suzara, former chief financial officer Dexter Estacio, and former corporate secretary John Lester Buenconsejo.
According to Matibag, the subpoenas will require both the production of documents and the personal appearance of the concerned officials to provide sworn testimony before NBI investigators.
The bureau is examining allegations involving the funding and financial management of the sports complex constructed in New Clark City, which served as one of the main venues of the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Matibag also disclosed that investigators intend to determine the extent of the participation of former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano in PHISGOC’s operations after the senator publicly questioned the timing of the investigation.
The NBI chief said Cayetano’s name did not initially appear in the corporate records obtained by the bureau from the Securities and Exchange Commission, making his immediate reaction to the investigation noteworthy.
He added that investigators intend to clarify Cayetano’s actual role in the organizing committee as part of the fact-finding process.
Earlier this week, the NBI revealed it had received information alleging that approximately P10 billion in government funds connected to the sports complex remained unsupported by liquidation documents and that procurement procedures may not have complied with existing government rules.
Cayetano, who chaired the country’s preparations for the 2019 SEA Games, has questioned the timing of the investigation, arguing that it coincides with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where Matibag is expected to testify as a prosecution witness.
The senator has suggested that the inquiry could be intended to pressure or intimidate him, an allegation that both the NBI and Malacañang have denied.
Matibag has maintained that the bureau is simply performing its legal mandate to investigate reports of possible anomalies involving the expenditure of public funds and that the probe will proceed independently of any political developments.
ia/xf
