MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a special task force to investigate alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects and financial transactions related to the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, with investigators now examining documents that officials said warrant a formal probe.
NBI director Melvin Matibag said the bureau has already secured documents pointing to possible anomalies involving the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).
“We are in possession of documents already na meron talagang kailangang imbestigahan,” Matibag said.
Among the issues under investigation are the alleged lack of public bidding in transactions involving Hong Kong Manila and questions over unliquidated funds connected to the staging of the regional sporting event.
“If you recall, there was no bidding na ginawa dito… Tapos unliquidated. So marami na kailangang tingnan,” he said.
Matibag said the newly formed task force is composed of personnel from the NBI’s Financial Investigation Unit and Special Action Unit. The team will coordinate with the Commission on Audit (COA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) as part of its investigation.
He clarified that while investigators have begun identifying individuals who may be linked to the alleged irregularities, no one has yet been formally named as a respondent.
According to Matibag, the investigation stemmed from newly submitted documents and information, stressing that it was not prompted by political developments or renewed public attention on the 2019 SEA Games.
“It so happened na may mga lumabas ngayong dokumento which will lead us to investigate,” he said.
Matibag said the documents surfaced after his recent visit to New Clark City, where the BCDA donated a 70-hectare property for the planned NBI Academy.
“Pagkatapos ng pagbisita namin, may mga pumasok sa amin na documents and information that will lead us to come up with the investigation,” he said.
Asked whether former PHISGOC chairman Senator Alan Peter Cayetano could become part of the investigation, Matibag said the NBI would pursue the evidence wherever it leads.
“We’ll always go where the evidence will lead us, kung ano ang batas, kung ano ang proseso. Kung kailangan natin siyang tanungin, we will respectfully ask him,” he said.
The NBI emphasized that the investigation remains in its preliminary stage and that no findings or conclusions have been reached./PN
