Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Thursday he would support the National Bureau of Investigation’s probe into alleged irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games if lawmakers are likewise allowed to continue investigating controversial flood control projects.
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano challenged the government to pursue both inquiries.
“Investigate the 2019 Southeast Asian Games thoroughly… We will support it totally,” Cayetano said.
“But my fellow minority senators and I should also be allowed to investigate the flood control projects. Deal?” he added.
Cayetano’s remarks came after the NBI announced it was forming a task force to investigate alleged anomalies involving the bidding and funding of projects related to the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 SEA Games.
Earlier, Alan and his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, argued that the planned NBI investigation appeared intended to intimidate and distract them from their duties as senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag, who announced the creation of the SEA Games task force, is scheduled to testify as a prosecution witness in Duterte’s impeachment trial on July 22.
