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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