Palace to Pia: ‘No need to panic if you’ve done nothing wrong’
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday said Sen. Pia Cayetano need not panic if she has done nothing wrong.
This was after Cayetano said she “fears” for her liberty and right to speak after discovering that the National Bureau of Investigation tracked her travel movements and return from Singapore.
Citing NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s recent statement, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the agency was not monitoring Cayetano.
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READ: Palace to Pia Cayetano on fear for her liberty: Is this paranoia? Don’t panic
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“Senator Pia does not need to panic. In the most recent interview we watched with NBI Director Matibag, he said he was not monitoring Senator Pia, and he was reportedly surprised by the senator’s reaction,” Castro said in a video message.
‘Paranoia?’
Cayetano and her brother, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, went on a private trip to Singapore from Sept. 9 to Sept. 12.
Castro questioned Cayetano’s apprehension, asking if it may be a sign of “paranoia” after the senator’s name was mentioned in the alleged P1.5 billion budget insertion involving her brother.
She noted that the funds were reportedly intended for the improvement of Laguna Lake and slope protection.
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“Does this show signs of paranoia? If you have done nothing wrong, there is no need to be afraid. There is no need to panic,” Castro said.
She said there should be no reason to fear an investigation if the funds were properly used.
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She also rejected claims that investigations and the filing of cases in court were politically motivated simply because those involved were not allies.
‘Mandate’
“If the funds were used properly, there is nothing to fear. But to put malice on investigations and the filing of cases in court simply because they are not allies, that is totally unfair,” Castro said.
She stressed that the alleged offenses involving some senators occurred even before the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
She said government agencies and the courts were merely carrying out their mandates.
“It is not the fault of the investigators or the courts trying the cases involving certain individuals,” Castro said.
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“That is their mandate. Whether there is an impeachment or no impeachment trial, they will carry out their obligations,” she added.
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