SEAG board faces plunder over cauldron

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into charges of plunder and violations of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, against board members linked to the installation of the P55-million cauldron for the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in 2019, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday.

Matibag said the NBI is wrapping up its investigation and could file complaints within days, but the exact charges and number of respondents will depend on the testimony of two witnesses who were interviewed yesterday.

“We are just finishing the final part of the investigation because the issue is broad and there could be several cases,” he said.
Matibag said the NBI decided to break down the investigation by transaction, starting with the P55-million cauldron because investigators have completed work on that aspect.

Five board members are currently being considered for charges, although Matibag said the number could still change after the witnesses are interviewed.

Asked what charges could be filed, Matibag said investigators are examining evidence of possible misuse of public funds.
“It will still depend on the additional testimony and whether it matches the prices and other evidence we have gathered. If the testimony is consistent with the other evidence, this could fall under plunder. Definitely, it could also constitute a violation of Republic Act 3019,” he said.

Cayetano involved?

Matibag said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was head of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee in 2019, is not among the five board members initially identified because he was not formally a member of the board.

However, the NBI is looking into documents and testimonies that allegedly show Cayetano presenting himself as chairman of the board and claiming involvement in the construction of the cauldron.

“There are also documents and testimony showing that he was part of it. So, if you ask me whether he will be included, the evidence at this point is pointing in that direction,” he added.
Matibag said the NBI has yet to determine whether to file the complaints with the Department of Justice for preliminary investigation or directly with the appropriate prosecutorial office.

He said the decision would also depend on the results of the witnesses’ interviews.
The probe does not cover the Clark Developmen Corp. and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, at the time headed by current Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.