NBI: Cayetanos expected back this weekend

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano speaks at a press conference at the Senate building on Monday, June 8, maintaining that he remains Senate president.

Philstar.com / Ian Laqui

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation sees no legal problem with the recent trip of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano to Singapore, with authorities expecting the siblings to return to the country this weekend.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed yesterday that his office is monitoring the lawmakers’ travel, acknowledging that while the trip is perfectly legal, its timing has naturally drawn public scrutiny.

“I think they’re going to Singapore for a vacation. That is their statement. And I have information that they will be coming back tomorrow probably, tomorrow (Saturday) 11 p.m. or Sunday 11 p.m. That was the information that reached me,” Matibag told reporters.

The public scrutiny stems from the NBI’s recent announcement that it will file cases in the coming days over alleged irregularities related to the “golden cauldron” installed for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Matibag revealed that the bureau was ready to file a case but had to pause the process after critical witnesses surfaced earlier this week bearing new evidence.

The NBI is specifically scrutinizing the legality of Cayetano’s leadership over the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

“He’s not a member of the board of directors of PHISGOC yet he always introduced himself as the chairman of PHISGOC, so that’s the line we are examining,” Matibag said.

Critics also pointed out the trip’s timing with the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s investigations into the obstruction of justice complaint against Sen. Alan Cayetano and Sen. Robin Padilla for allegedly helping fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa evade arrest.

Matibag noted that the DOJ probe into the obstruction charges is practically concluded and is poised for resolution before being elevated to the ombudsman.

“There might be a resolution already as we speak and eventually, (the case) will move,” he added.