National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has dismissed an upcoming hearing organized by a political bloc allied with Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, declaring that the gathering lacks the legal authority of a legitimate Senate proceeding.
In a radio interview, Matibag explained that the meeting—organized by a group associated with Cayetano and former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor—fails to satisfy the constitutional mandates required for an official legislative inquiry.
He emphasized that the event is set to occur outside the Senate premises and has not been formed according to the upper chamber’s official rules.
“Hindi sa premises ng Senado gagawin… That will be a press conference,” Matibag stated.
The NBI chief warned that calling an informal gathering a formal legislative inquiry risks misleading the public.
He pointed out that the organizers have no authority to issue official subpoenas to compel individuals to attend.
“It poses a problem. Nagkakaroon ng kalituhan. Hindi po dapat natin kino-confuse,” he said.
Matibag also revealed that the NBI has not received any formal invitation to the event. He suggested that framing the gathering as a real Senate hearing is a deliberate move to give an unconstitutional meeting a false sense of authority.
“Okay lang magsalita, magsabi ng iyong pagkontra, mga bagay na kailangan sabihin, pero let’s not confuse the people,” Matibag added.
With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calling a special legislative session for June 17, Matibag reiterated that only committees officially formed by the Senate hold the power to conduct inquiries.
He confirmed that the NBI recognizes only the official Blue Ribbon Committee led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, which is currently organizing the investigation into the flood control issue.
The dispute underscores a growing friction between rival factions in the Senate competing for control over legislative investigations.