NBI: Still no probe request on Cha-cha signature allegations

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has yet to receive a request to investigate allegations of signature buying for the people’s initiative on Charter change (Cha-cha).

“Wala pa naman kaming natatanggap na ganyang mga request to investigate (we have not yet received a request to investigate),” NBI Director Medardo de Lemos said in an ambush interview.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III had earlier called for the NBI to investigate the alleged payment of P100 pesos for a person’s signature on the initiative.

According to De Lemos, the NBI would like to “veer away” from matters with political undertones.

“We limit ourselves to criminal activities. Kapag mga ganon naman— not unless we receive a directive from higher authorities. Ayaw ng agency na makukulayan ng politika,” he said.

(We limit ourselves to criminal activities. If there are such cases— not unless we receive a directive from higher authorities. We don’t want the agency involved in politics.)

The Department of Justice, which manages the NBI, previously said it would wait for a formal letter or evidence before investigating the alleged buying of signatures.

BKA donation

Meanwhile, according to the NBI, De Lemos signed a deed of donation with the German Federal Police Liaison Office (BKA) of the German Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

It said the BKA donated various items to the NBI, such as laptops, desktop scanners, printers, desktops, anti-virus units, and operating systems, among others.

The NBI said the BKA also donated body cams, drones, scooters in September 2023.

“De Lemos underscored that the NBI remains unwavering in its commitment to the persistent pursuit of combatting and eliminating various forms of criminality, such as human trafficking and online sexual exploitation,” the NBI said in a statement.

“Further, the deployment of the equipment will prove advantageous as it will be a great support for the NBI to effectively enforce laws and promote peace and order,” it added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News