MANILA — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Monday challenged reporters to ask Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano whether he has already liquidated the billions of pesos in funds spent on the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which the Philippines hosted.
The challenge comes in response to Cayetano’s reaction after the National Bureau of Investigation announced it is looking into controversies surrounding the sporting event. Cayetano served as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) at the time.
Castro said that if Cayetano has nothing to fear regarding any corruption issues involving the billions of pesos in funds given to PHISGOC, he shouldn’t be reacting with such agitation, and should instead be able to liquidate the funds without difficulty.
She suggested reporters ask Cayetano directly, if given the chance: whether he has liquidated the billions of pesos in funds allocated for the 2019 SEA Games, who donated to the event, and whether those donations were properly reported.
Castro’s remarks follow Cayetano’s earlier description of NBI Director Melvin Matibag as a “minion,” with the senator alleging Matibag was acting on orders from a mastermind. Castro pushed back on that characterization, noting that the term “minions” has no basis in reality in this context, and said the senator appears to be doing nothing more than pointing fingers and disparaging others. She added that the NBI’s investigation is simply part of its mandated duty to address corruption-related concerns.
Marcos maintains trust in Dizon
Separately, the Palace said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon continues to enjoy the President’s trust, despite being named in connection with the SEA Games investigation. Dizon served as President and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority at the time and oversaw construction of major sports facilities for the Games.
Castro said that, at present, all members of the President’s cabinet retain his trust, and that this will remain the case unless evidence emerges implicating any cabinet member in corruption.
The Palace also said it would support any investigation launched in response to claims by Senator Ping Lacson alleging that Cayetano had inserted billions of pesos’ worth of infrastructure projects.
