National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag dismissed claims on Tuesday that his personal feelings are driving the bureau’s investigation into Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano over alleged irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) cauldron project.
Speaking in a radio interview, Matibag asserted that the agency is strictly acting on evidence and carrying out its mandate regarding the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) controversy.
”Wala naman po akong personal grudge sa kanya, wala naman po akong nakikita na dapat maging personal grudge,” Matibag said.
Matibag clarified that previous public debates or exchanges between them stemmed purely from their respective official duties and differing perspectives.
”Kung ano man po ang aming mga naging talastasan, ‘yung pagkakaharap po namin noong nakaraang linggo, buwan, o araw, lahat naman po nun ay alam kong ginagawa ko ang aking trabaho at siya rin po ginagampanan niya yung kanyang trabaho, siguro nagkakaiba lang po ng perspective ng pagpapaliwanag,” he said.
”Kung ano po ang mandato ng NBI at mayroon kaming ebidensya ay ginagawa po namin ang aming trabaho more than anything else, more than the political or the personal reason,” he added.
The bureau’s inquiry focuses on the procurement, pricing, contracts, disbursements, and actual construction of the multi-million-peso cauldron used during the 2019 event.
Matibag previously noted that Cayetano, who headed PHISGOC during the games, could face potential charges.
The investigation has since expanded as investigators gather testimonies and documentation regarding PHISGOC operations.
”Malinaw naman na po yung mga participation ng mga individual. Sa witness, meron po kaming mga na-established na medyo mga solidong ebidensya para magturo po sa mga individual na lumahok sa anomalya,” Matibag stated.
Addressing the cauldron’s design and conceptualization, Matibag emphasized that the bureau aims to build a airtight case.
”Gusto po namin siguraduhin at pag-isinampa natin yung kaso, matibay ‘yung kaso at at the same time tama po yung mga taong inakusahan natin,” he said.
At least five PHISGOC board members are currently being evaluated, with one or two potentially serving as state witnesses pending Department of Justice, Office of the Ombudsman, and judicial approval.
While official Securities and Exchange Commission records do not formally list Cayetano as a board member, Matibag noted that numerous documents, public appearances, and event records demonstrate he actively functioned as PHISGOC chairman.
The NBI maintains that its primary focus remains uncovering the facts and holding accountable those directly involved.