The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has opened an inquiry into suspected anomalies surrounding the construction of a ₱10-billion sports hub in New Clark City, Tarlac. The facility was built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games under the leadership of current Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.
According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the bureau uncovered clues pointing to possible financial and payment discrepancies while managing requirements for a planned NBI facility in the same area. The agency has been granted a sizable property within New Clark City to build a training academy for its future officers and staff.
Matibag noted that preliminary findings suggest massive amounts of government funds remain unaccounted for.
“We received information that billions of pesos were involved but were unliquidated,” said Matibag.
The NBI chief explained that early details show a Malaysian developer was hired to construct the athletic facilities for the 2019 regional sporting event.
He alleged that the contractor was paid ₱10 billion using funds allocated via congressional insertions in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“There was a private company that was paid ₱10 billion and the payment was done through congressional insertions at the GAA (General Appropriations Act),” said Matibag.
Matibag also asserted that the payment was handed over to the contractor without any public competitive bidding.
“We will investigate this, this is also a big case,” he added.
While the NBI director made it clear that this probe is distinct from the long-standing dispute over the ₱50-million SEA Games cauldron—which drew heavy political backlash over its price tag—he confirmed that the bureau plans to review that purchase as well.
“The cauldron is a separate case but we will also look into it,” said Matibag.