A specialized task force has been established by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into suspected anomalies surrounding the construction of the New Clark City sports complex in Tarlac, which served as a major venue during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, who argue that the NBI’s investigation is a calculated move to pressure them during the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
However, NBI Director Melvin Matibag dismissed claims of political influence, asserting that the inquiry was launched because of new data and physical records pointing to potential misconduct within the ₱10 billion project.
Matibag stressed that the bureau remains objective and committed to uncovering the facts.
“The record of the NBI is always to go where the evidence lead us. And we are in possession of documents already that there is a need to investigate this due to the huge amount of money involved,” Matibag said.
The newly formed task force will be composed of investigators from the NBI’s Financial Investigation Unit and Special Action Unit. To ensure a thorough review, the bureau intends to work closely with key government bodies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commission on Audit (COA).
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who previously directed the rollout of the athletic venues as the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), may be called upon by the NBI to provide clarity on the matter.
“If there’s a need to ask him, we will respectfully ask him to give light,” Matibag said.
“And I’m sure Senator Alan if he is included here, ‘I’m sure he would appreciate that this matter will be investigated properly.”
According to Matibag, the NBI uncovered the incriminating records by chance during a site inspection for a future NBI Academy in the area.
“This is incidental. We saw the sports complex that is big and then there were documents and information that led us to come up with the investigation,” he said.