The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday defended the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) investigation into the alleged funding irregularities involving the New Clark City sports complex built for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the NBI’s actions were based solely on its legal mandate. He issued the statement after Senator Pia Cayetano questioned NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s disclosure that about ₱10 billion had allegedly been spent on the project without proper bidding and liquidation.
“The department fully respects the views expressed by Senator Pia S. Cayetano. We assure her and the public that the actions of the National Bureau of Investigation are grounded solely in its mandate and the rule of law,” Martinez said.
He added that while the NBI is an attached agency of the DOJ, it enjoys sufficient operational independence to conduct investigations either through referrals or on its own initiative as authorized by law.
Matibag said the investigation stemmed from information received by the NBI and was unrelated to his scheduled appearance as a prosecution witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte next week.
The NBI chief also denied accusations that the probe was intended to target Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who chaired the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) during the country’s hosting of the 2019 regional sporting event.
“We are not out to attack him personally. The NBI is just doing its mandate. As always, our message is that no one is above the law,” Matibag said.
Matibag likewise announced that he had canceled his trip to Bangkok, Thailand, where he was scheduled to attend a regional summit hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He said he opted to remain in the country to testify before the Senate impeachment court.
He added that the NBI had informed FBI Director Kash Patel of the change in schedule and would seek another opportunity to attend the event. The FBI recently commended the NBI for its assistance in the arrest of American fugitive Herbert Leon Kimble in Pasig City last June.