The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has opened an inquiry into alleged fund irregularities tied to the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, with billions of pesos reportedly left unliquidated.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the issue came to light after bureau officials inspected New Clark City in Tarlac, where the agency plans to build a 70-hectare NBI Academy.
“Nakita namin dun yung sports complex na ginamit sa SEA Games… nakarating sa amin na bilyon-bilyon pala ‘yung pumasok dito na pera na unliquidated,” he noted.
Investigators are examining claims that a private contractor received about ₱10 billion through congressional insertions in the General Appropriations Act.
“Meron private company dito na na-involve na binayaran ng ₱10 billion… malaking kaso din ito,” Matibag said.
The New Clark City sports hub, built for the 30th SEA Games, features a 20,000-seat stadium, a 2,000-seat aquatics center, and an athletes’ village. The project was undertaken by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority in partnership with a Malaysian firm.
Former organizing committee chair and now Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has previously denied wrongdoing, saying he welcomes any investigation into the Games. Matibag added the bureau will also revisit the controversy over the multimillion-peso SEA Games cauldron, though he clarified it is separate from the New Clark City probe. # (ZIA LUNA)
