Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The Aquatics Center in  New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac at night during the 2019 SEA Games. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

New Clark City @ Night

Zyann Ambrosio

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178452151731420191208-new-clark-city-night-195023-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Aquatics Center in  New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac at night during the 2019 SEA Games.<em> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will issue subpoenas to three Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) officials as it intensifies its investigation into the alleged irregularities involving the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/17/nbi-to-subpoena-officials-over-2019-sea-games-probe-1544">NBI to subpoena officials over 2019 SEA Games probe</a></div><p>NBI director Melvin Matibag said he is set to sign the subpoenas, adding that investigators have received reports that PHISGOC’s listed office may only be operating as a virtual office.</p><p>Matibag also revealed that more individuals have expressed willingness to testify before the NBI.</p><p>“Marami na rin ang nagpahayag na gusto nilang tumistigo. So kung lalabas yung pangalan niya roon para magbigay-linaw sa imbestigasyon, eh kailangan siyang ipatawag.”</p><p>The NBI chief questioned the legality of the appointment of former PHISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano, saying the documents obtained by the bureau indicate he was appointed only as an interim chairman by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) before PHISGOC was incorporated.</p><p>“Paano ka magiging chairman kung nagpakilala kang chairman tapos hindi ka naman member ng board? Anything that is being done by a corporation, whether it’s an NGO or not, should be through a board resolution.”</p><p>Matibag said investigators are looking into the corporate documents and board resolutions related to PHISGOC’s creation and operations, including the role of those who eventually served as its officers.</p><p>The NBI chief also stressed that the bureau’s focus remains on the use of public funds, citing allegedly unliquidated expenses, including hundreds of millions of pesos in rental and consultancy payments made years after the SEA Games concluded.</p><p>“Ang punto dito, meron ditong public funds na pumasok. When public funds is used, ang kasunod niyan, there should be accountability and it should be audited by the Commission on Audit.”</p><div><strong>GHOST PROJECTS IN TAGUIG?</strong></div><p>Matibag added that the NBI is also investigating alleged ghost flood control projects in Taguig that were flagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson and will coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman regarding matters involving former BCDA president Vince Dizon.</p><p>Despite criticism directed at him over the investigation, Matibag said the NBI will remain focused on the evidence.</p><p>“Hindi tayo nagli-live selling o nagba-broadcast na parang nagkukuwento-kuwento lang tayo. We have all the documents to support, the evidence to support, the testimony to support us. There are a number of individuals who are willing to testify on the matter.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘EVIDENCE-BASED’ PROBE  </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Monday the NBI probe would be evidence-based, amid criticisms that Cayetano was supposedly being targeted by the administration.</p><p>“Everything will be evidence-based, at syempre pang-timbang lagi pa rin ng DOJ iyan, kung sakaling makarating sa DOJ iyan, it will be based on what were the pieces of evidence presented, rule of law pa rin tayo,” Vida said.</p><p>The official also denied that the administration was being selective and assured that the investigations will not distract the senator-judges from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. </p><p>“And sa akin, kung wala namang dapat ipangamba about sa rule of law, wala dapat ipangamba ang mga senator judges, it will all be based on the pieces of evidence ang investigation na gagawin,” he said.</p><p>Vida stressed the NBI, although an attached agency to the DOJ, is an independent body with its own mandate.</p><p>“We respect the independence of the NBI relative to their mandate to pursue investigations, first hindi ko ipinag-utos, this is pursuant to the mandate of the NBI,” he said. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQZfEMnlmKw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>NBI director Melvin Matibag revealed that more individuals have expressed willingness to testify before the NBI.</p>

NBI director Melvin Matibag revealed that more individuals have expressed willingness to testify before the NBI.

NBI to subpoena 3 PHISGOC execs, eyes more witnesses in 2019 Sea Games probe—Matibag

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

NBI to subpoena 3 PHISGOC execs, eyes more witnesses in 2019 Sea Games probe—Matibag

Zyann Ambrosio,

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 20, 2026 12:32 PM PHT

|

Updated July 20, 2026 12:47 PM PHT

Read More:

NBI

SEA Games

alan peter cayetano

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.