Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday challenged the executive branch to proceed with its planned investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, but urged Malacañang to allow the minority bloc to lead the Senate inquiry into the controversy surrounding flood control projects.
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Cayetano questioned the timing of the National Bureau of Investigation’s move to investigate the 2019 SEA Games, when he served as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), amid the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
He said the NBI’s action appeared to be influenced by higher authorities.
“Sabihin natin sa DOJ, sa NBI at sa Malacañang, di kayo halata ha. Slight lang pero hindi kayo halata (Let us tell the DOJ, the NBI, and Malacañang that they are not obvious. It is just slight, but not totally obvious),” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said that since the government insists on pursuing the SEA Games probe, he was offering a “deal” that would allow the minority bloc to conduct an investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
“Imbestigahan niyo yung Southeast Asian Games of 2019 kung saan tayo nag overall champion at tiningala ng buong Southeast Asia…We will support totally. Pag sinabi kong ‘we,’ ako at hinihimok ko lahat ng mga mamayan na suportahan yung imbestigasyon na yan. Tapos ako naman, sampu ng aming mga kasama na ngayon ay nasa minority, imbestigahan naman namin ang flood control. Ano, deal?” he said.
The Senate minority bloc comprises Alan and Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Christopher Go, Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ronald dela Rosa.
Marcoleta and Estrada are currently detained, while Dela Rosa remains in hiding.
Cayetano said it would not be difficult for Malacañang to allow such an investigation, noting that it could coordinate with senators involved in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, including committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo and Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
“Madali lang yan, Malacañang, kasi sumusunod naman sa inyo sila Senator Erwin, sila Senator Lacson, yung mga nasa Blue Ribbon. Kalabitin niyo na. Tutal 30 weeks, matagal po iting impeachment. At sab inga, huwag panay technicalities. Eh, lalo ang Blue Ribbon Committee; wala masyadong technicalities doon. So, huwag mangamba sa kahit anong imbestigasyon,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano accused the majority bloc of shielding allies allegedly linked to the flood-control projects controversy.
He added that they already have a list of witnesses who could identify those allegedly responsible for irregularities in flood control projects.
“Hindi naman siguro bad words ang flood control. Ang bad words ay cover up. So, tamang tama magso-SONA na ulit. Bigyan natin ng puwedeng pag-usapan ang mahal nating Pangulo na tunay na mga pangyayari,” he said.