UNTV News and Rescue

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to subpoena former officials of the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) over alleged anomalies during the 2019 SEA Games. 

Among those to be summoned by the NBI are PHISGOC Chairman Ramon Tatum Suzara, Chief Financial Officer Dexter Estacio, and Chief of Staff Lester Buenconsejo.

According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, aside from the issue of unliquidated funds used during the event, the agency will also look into Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s previous role as the interim chairman of PHISGOC.

Furthermore, the NBI noted it remains possible to subpoena Senator Cayetano, depending on the outcome of the questioning of the summoned PHISGOC officials.

“Well, unang-una nga, paano ka magiging chairman kung nagpakilala kang chairman tapos hindi ka naman member ng board? Pangalawa, if you acted as chairman na hindi ka chairman, that is an ultra vires act na tinatawag that is outside of the scope that because anything that is being done by a corporation, whether it's an NGO or not, should be through a board resolution,” Matibag said

The NBI Director added that they will also determine if there was a conflict of interest regarding Cayetano’s position as interim chairman, especially since he was still serving as the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“Well, we have to check on that because when he was assigned, I think he's still the uh Secretary of the Foreign Affairs. Kaya nga nalagyan ng 7.5 na billion na budget for SEA Games yang ah yang DFA na kung saan nung umupong Secretary si Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin nagulat siya isinuli niya yang pera na yan eh. That is on record,” according to NBI chief

The individuals to be summoned are expected to appear on July 24 before the NBI.

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Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has made another statement on his livestream against NBI Director Melvin Matibag, insinuating that an official is a ‘minion’.

“So ang nangyayari po ngayon ay may mga mastermind talaga at may mga minion. So suot kong t-shirt today ay dedicated po sa mga minions,”

[“So what is happening right now is that there are masterminds and there are minions. So, the shirt I’m wearing today is dedicated to the minions.”]

The senator pointed a minion graphic on his shirt, gave it a name, and called it “Melvin.”

“Alam niyo naman ang pangalan ng mga minions 'diba? Pero itong isa, ito ’yan, ’yang minion na ’yan, pangalan ’yan ay Melvin. So shoutout sao ngayong Sunday na ‘to Melvin the Minion,” he added

[“You know the names of the minions, right? But this particular one, the minion right there, his name is Melvin. So shoutout to you this Sunday, Melvin the Minioin,.”]

In a statement released by the NBI, the agency stated they were not insulted by the remark and chose not to respond to it.

“No one in  the Bureau will take offense at that label, nor will it be answered in kind,” according to NBI

Despite this, the agency stood firm that its investigation into alleged anomalies involving projects under the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will proceed.

The clash between Matibag and Cayetano has been heating up since last week. This came after Matibag announced that the NBI discovered billions of pesos in funds were allegedly released for the 2019 SEA Games without undergoing competitive bidding and government audit.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano served as the chairman of the committee that led the projects for the 2019 SEA Games at that time. He claimed that Matibag’s actions seemed to be timed and an intimidation, as the NBI chief will stand as a witness in the impeachment court on July 21, 2027.

The NBI assured that the investigation will be fair, evidence-based, and guided by the mandate of the law.

The bureau also urged anyone with knowledge about the SEA Games projects to bring it to the NBI office instead of saying it on livestream.

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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon confirms that he is ready to face any investigation regarding the spending matters during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The DPWH chief stated that he will respond to any subpoena to be issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) once the probe begins.

He also emphasizes that his conscience is clean and believes that the facilities were constructed properly.

“Kung merong mga imbestigasyon, kampante rin tayo. Tayo'y magko-cooperate. Malinis ang konsensya natin at naniniwala tayo na napakaayos nung mga facilities na yan at napakaayos ng pagkagawa,” he said

[“If there are investigations, we are confident. We will cooperate. Our conscience is clean, and we believe that those facilities were good and properly constructed.”]

Secretary Vince Dizon is the former head of the BCDA and oversaw the construction of the establishment.

In 2021, a previous case filed over alleged anomalies in the construction of the New Clark City sports complex was dismissed.

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered all concerned units to conduct their final phase of security preparations for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 27, 2026.

PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. specifically directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and other support units to ensure final inspections of deployment plans and contingency measures ahead of the SONA to guarantee a safe, orderly, and peaceful event.  

The PNP previously announced that around 20,000 security forces, including personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be deployed on July 27.

The PNP Chief reminded police personnel to observe maximum tolerance and be professional at all times.

PGen. Nartatez also assured that the PNP will respect the rights of protesters to express their views peacefully, without violating the existing laws.

“The PNP is fully prepared to secure the SONA while respecting the right of individuals and groups to peacefully express their views in accordance with the law,” he said

The PNP is currently coordinating with local government units to identify the groups approved for rallies to ensure smooth traffic management.

They also anticipate the attendance of thousands of guests, including government officials, diplomatic core members, media organizations, and various cause-oriented groups.

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