SEA Games records submitted to NBI

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio yesterday submitted documents to the National Bureau of Investigation, as the NBI expands its probe into alleged irregularities in the hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Gregorio appeared before the NBI after receiving a subpoena seeking records related to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), the private foundation that handled the hosting of the biennial regional sporting event.

“I am submitting the documents that Phisgoc submitted to the PSC in 2019. As chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, I was summoned, so I am here to submit those documents,” Gregorio told reporters.

Asked if he was concerned that the issue had resurfaced seven years after the games, Gregorio said he was simply complying with the NBI’s request.

“I have no particular feelings about it. My job is to comply. The NBI requested these documents, and as a government agency, we are following that request. That is why I am here, to act professionally,” Gregorio said.

The NBI is investigating alleged anomalies involving the New Clark City Sports Complex in Tarlac, which was built for the 2019 SEA Games.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the bureau formed a task force composed of its financial investigation and special action units to examine the project. 

The investigation will be conducted in coordination with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Commission on Audit and Securities and Exchange Commission.

The NBI said it might summon Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who chaired Phisgoc during the 2019 SEA Games, to explain the foundation’s handling of public funds amid questions over the liquidation of government money used for the event.

During the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the senator and his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, said they see the NBI probe as an act of intimidation. 

Alan Peter said he would fully support a thorough investigation if the NBI would also probe irregularities in other national government infrastructure projects.