National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag expressed surprise on Friday, September 18, regarding Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte’s strong response to the bureau’s ongoing investigation into local flood control projects.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the plenary debates for the 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), Matibag clarified that the lawmaker was never part of the agency’s initial inquiry.
”Unang-una I’m surprised bakit si Cong Pulong nagsasalita ng mga ganun tungkol sa isyu ng flood control sa Davao City, when hindi naman siya namin iniimbitahan,” Matibag said.
”Ang inimbitahan namin, ang sinubpoena namin is the regional director, district engineers, at tsaka yung mga contractors. Wala naman yung pangalan niya doon eh. So I don’t know why he is reacting na kaagad, nagsalita na kaagad siya,” he added.
The NBI chief’s remarks came after Duterte issued a statement on Thursday, September 17, asserting that any defective or non-existent infrastructure projects across the country should be probed.
”Kung may ghost o substandard projects, imbestigahan lahat—Davao man o saan mang bahagi ng bansa,” Duterte stated.
Addressing the lawmaker’s comments, Matibag urged Duterte to formally present any relevant evidence to the agency rather than basing statements on social media commentary.
”Well if he has information, he can come to [our] office and volunteer it. He can have all the coverage that he wants, kung gusto niya ng coverage,” Matibag responded.
”I challenge him na siya ang magreklamo, otherwise, yun yung marites, pag nag-rely ka sa mga vlog-vlog lang,” the NBI chief noted.
”I think it’s an obligation of every Filipino na kung may anomalya eh magsumbong sa owtoridad para maimbestigahan,” he added.