MALACAÑANG and the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday defended the investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into alleged irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, dismissing allegations that the investigation was aimed at pressuring the judges of parliament to hear the case of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“The department respects the authority and authority of the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct investigations, whether delegated or motu proprio,” the DoJ said in a statement, adding that the bureau has “sufficient independence” to carry out its investigative duties.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the NBI does not need the approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to continue the investigation.
“The President does not need to order them. That is their job,” he told a news conference in Filipino, adding that the office is obligated to investigate reports of possible irregularities.
His comments come after Senators Alan Peter S. Cayetano and Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano questioned the timing of the NBI’s announcement, saying it coincided with the Senate impeachment trial where lawmakers serve as judges.
NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag earlier announced the creation of a task force to investigate irregularities involving the New Clark City Sports Complex, including about P10 billion in allegedly innocent funds, questions about procurement and the P50-million SEA Games cauldron.
Mr. Cayetano, who headed the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee in 2019, said he welcomed any investigation but opposed its public announcement while the trial court was still active.
“Investigate whatever you want to investigate… I have no problem. But don’t announce it because it will disturb the integrity of the court,” he said in mixed English and Filipino during the proceedings on Wednesday.
Ms. Castro said that this investigation stems from the information Mr. Matibag received it at a meeting on June 15 that was about the NBI Academy organized in New Clark City, one of the venues of the SEA Games.
He also added that the NBI officer did not identify that there is a person under investigation and said that people who do not hide anything should not be afraid of an official investigation.
The palace official also dismissed allegations that Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon should be affected, saying he was previously investigated and approved for the job.
Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic “Mico” F. Clavano IV confirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint against Mr. Dizon and other officials on the construction of facilities for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Mr. Clavano told reporters via Viber that the complaint was dismissed due to a lack of evidence in a joint decision issued in December 2021.
Mr. Dizon, then president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, was among the respondents in the complaint involving the construction of the SEA Games sports facilities.
The Commission on Audit previously flagged errors in the completion and procurement of the SEA Games, although the organizers said that what was observed by the auditors was corrected or explained.
The NBI has yet to announce the scope, timeline or potential suspects of its investigation. – Erika Mae P. Sinaking again Mark Joseph M. Sanchez
