The National Bureau of Investigation will subpoena three former officials of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee over alleged irregularities in the 2019 SEA Games.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced in a video sent to reporters on Friday that subpoenas will be issued on Monday for Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Dexter Estacio and John Lester Buenconsejo. The former PHISGOC chair, chief financial officer and corporate secretary must appear before the bureau on Friday, July 24, to give oral testimonies and submit documents.
The agency has formed a task force to examine claims of unliquidated funds of about P10 billion, lack of competitive bidding and the construction of the P50-million cauldron. The Office of the Ombudsman has also reopened its files on the case.
Matibag said the bureau will also ask about the role of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. Cayetano, who headed the organizing body at the time, has accused Matibag of trying to intimidate him ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
