The National Bureau of Investigation will form a task force to investigate alleged irregularities involving the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, including the controversial “kaldero” project.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Wednesday the bureau is already in possession of documents indicating that several transactions require further investigation.
Matibag said investigators are looking into the alleged lack of competitive bidding, unliquidated funds and the large amount of public money involved in the projects.
He said the task force will be composed of personnel from the NBI’s Financial Investigation Unit and Special Action Unit.
The NBI will also coordinate with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commission on Audit and other government agencies as part of the investigation.
Matibag said the bureau has not yet identified persons of interest but acknowledged that investigators have already identified personalities whose participation may need to be examined.
He also denied that the investigation was politically motivated.
The NBI director’s remarks came in reference to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee during the country’s hosting of the 2019 SEA Games.
