Manila: The National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) recent probe into the alleged funding irregularities associated with the construction of a sports complex for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is firmly rooted in its legal mandate, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Thursday. This statement was issued following inquiries from Senator Pia Cayetano regarding NBI Director Melvin Matibag's disclosure about the PHP10 billion expenditure on the New Clark City sports complex, which allegedly bypassed proper bidding and liquidation procedures.
According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez emphasized the department's respect for the concerns raised by Senator Pia Cayetano, whose brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chaired the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) during the 2019 event. Martinez assured both Senator Cayetano and the public that the NBI's actions are strictly within its mandate and adhere to the rule of law. He reiterated the DOJ's confidence in the NBI's ability to execute its duties with professionalism, integrity, and independence.
Martinez further explained that while the NBI operates as an attached agency of the DOJ, it possesses adequate operational independence to conduct investigations, either upon referral or on its own initiative. This autonomy allows the NBI to fulfill its investigative responsibilities as prescribed by law.
In a media interaction on Wednesday, NBI Director Melvin Matibag revealed that the bureau had received information regarding potential funding irregularities at the sports complex. He clarified that this investigation is unrelated to his upcoming appearance as a witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial next week. Matibag refuted claims of targeting Alan Cayetano, asserting that the NBI is merely fulfilling its mandate and reiterating that no one is above the law.
Matibag announced his decision to cancel a planned trip to Bangkok, Thailand, where he was to participate in a regional summit organized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to testify before the Senate impeachment court. He expressed intentions to reschedule the meeting with FBI Director Kash Patel for a future date.
The FBI recently acknowledged the NBI's role in apprehending 60-year-old American Herbert Leon Kimble in Pasig City on June 11. Kimble, wanted for orchestrating a healthcare fraud scheme and listed on the FBI's 'Most Wanted Fraudster' list, failed to appear for his sentencing hearing in August 2024.
