The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has dismissed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s remarks against Director Melvin Matibag, saying personal attacks will not stop its investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
In a statement on Sunday, the NBI said it “took note” of Cayetano’s decision to call Matibag a “minion” during a Facebook Live broadcast but stressed that the bureau remains focused on evidence and the law.
“When a position cannot be defended with facts, it is often defended with insults,” the NBI said.
“The Bureau’s work rests on evidence, on documents, and on the law — and none of these is moved by name-calling,” it added.
The bureau said no one within the NBI was offended by Cayetano’s remarks, emphasizing that Matibag answers only to the public interest.
The NBI recently reopened its probe into the alleged anomalous procurement and spending during the 2019 SEA Games, an investigation that could involve Cayetano, who headed the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee during the country’s hosting of the regional event.
According to the bureau, the investigation was reopened because billions of pesos in public funds appeared to have been spent outside the usual safeguards of competitive bidding and government audit.
“It bears noting that the loudest objections to an audit seldom come from those with nothing to account for,” the NBI said.
The bureau maintained that the investigation is impartial and evidence-based, urging anyone with information, including Cayetano, to submit evidence directly to investigators.
“The inquiry is impartial, evidence-based and grounded squarely in its mandate under the law,” the NBI said.
It added that “Director Matibag will continue to do the work the Filipino people expect of him. He may be called many things. Beholden will never be one of them.”
