Senator Cayetano calls for investigation on flood control scandal as NBI probes 2019 SEA games

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday challenged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to conduct a parallel investigation into the flood control controversy while expressing full support for the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) probe into the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Speaking during a livestream on July 16, Cayetano said authorities should thoroughly examine the country's hosting of the 2019 SEA Games, where the Philippines emerged as overall champion.

“Imbestigahan niyo ang Southeast Asian Games of 2019, kung saan tayo nag-overall champion at tiningala ng buong Southeast Asia. Imbestigahan niyo nang husto, bigay n’yo lahat,” Cayetano said.

The NBI earlier announced that it would investigate alleged irregularities in the staging of the 2019 SEA Games, which was organized by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) headed by Cayetano.

Cayetano said he welcomes the inquiry and encouraged the public to support the investigation.

“We will totally support (the investigation),” Cayetano said. “Kapag sinabi kong ‘we’ — ako at hinihimok ko po lahat ng mga kababayan, supportahan niyo ang investigation na iyan.”

At the same time, he challenged the Senate Minority bloc to conduct its own inquiry into the government's flood control projects.

“Tapos ako naman, sampu ng aming mga kasama na ngayon ay nasa Minority, imbestigahan naman namin ang flood control. Ano, deal?”

Cayetano maintained that all investigations should be pursued objectively and that no individual or agency should be beyond scrutiny.

He also accused the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Malacañang of appearing to coordinate efforts to link him to the alleged anomalies surrounding the SEA Games.

“Iparating natin sa NBI, sa DOJ, at sa Malacañang — hindi kayo halata ah! Slight lang, pero hindi naman kayo halata,” he said.

The minority leader likewise questioned what he described as a possible "cover-up," pointing out that Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon—who previously served as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the agency that oversaw the New Clark City project for the 2019 SEA Games—had reportedly already been cleared while he continues to face scrutiny.

“Tapos ang Malacañang, si ano daw, na-imbestigahan na daw yung Secretary nila pero ako daw, hindi pa. OK lang, imbestigahan natin lahat. Pero hindi naman siguro bad words ang ‘flood control’. Ang bad words ay ‘cover-up’,” he said.

Cayetano reiterated that he supports all efforts to uncover the truth, saying investigations should proceed without exception.

“Suportahan natin ang lahat ng imbestigasyon. All-out investigation, katotohanan, para magbago na ang ating bayan,” he added.

-Paraluman News