NBI probes Taguig flood projects; DOJ says no order issued

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday said it started its investigation into flood control projects in Taguig City, even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified Monday that it did not order the probe.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau was already looking into 11 flood control projects implemented in 2022 that were allegedly linked to some of the country's top 15 contractors.

“In fact, we are already investigating, kasi nung 2022 merong 11 proyekto diyan na somehow related doon sa mga pinangalanan na Top 15 contractors,” Matibag told reporters.

(In fact, we are already investigating because, in 2022, there were 11 projects there that were somehow linked to those named among the top 15 contractors.)

“Baka sabihin ninyo timing na naman. Anyway, public na naman ‘yan dahil sinasabi ni Senator Lacson, so I think we should mention it,” he added.

(You might say this is about timing again. Anyway, this is already public knowledge because Senator Lacson mentioned it, so I think we should mention it.)

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, however, stressed that the DOJ did not direct the NBI to conduct the investigation, saying the bureau was acting under its own mandate.

“We will respect the independence of the NBI relative to their mandate to pursue investigations. First thing, hindi ito pinag-utos ng DOJ. This is pursuant to the mandate of the NBI to pursue all this,” Vida said.

(We will respect the independence of the NBI in carrying out its mandate to pursue investigations. First, the DOJ did not order this. This is pursuant to the NBI's mandate to pursue these matters.)

Vida said that should the case reach the DOJ, the department would act based on the evidence presented.

“Kung sakaling makarating sa DOJ ‘yan, it will be based on what are the pieces of evidence presented. Rule of law pa rin tayo,” he said.

(If that reaches the DOJ, our action will be based on the evidence presented. We still abide by the rule of law.)

On Sunday, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo told fellow Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to be ready for an investigation into Taguig's flood control projects.

Cayetano's brother, former Taguig Mayor and current PTV general manager Lino Cayetano, who served as city mayor from 2019 to 2022, had sought an investigation into P6 billion worth of flood control projects implemented in Taguig from 2022 to 2025.

Vida also said ongoing investigations by other agencies should not be viewed as a distraction for senator-judges.

“Hindi dapat dahil ‘yung paghahabol natin ng accountability, hindi naman tumitigil ‘yun. Pare-parehong may ginagampanan, at ginagalang natin ang mga Senator-Judges,” Vida said.

(It should not be, because our pursuit of accountability does not stop. We all have our respective roles to play, and we respect the senator-judges.)

“And sa akin, kung wala namang dapat ipangamba about sa rule of law, wala dapat ipangamba ang mga senator-judges,” he added.

(And for me, if there is nothing to fear from the rule of law, then the senator-judges have nothing to fear.)

According to Vida, the NBI investigation is not yet barred by prescription, meaning authorities may still legally investigate and prosecute any alleged offenses arising from the projects. — MCG, GMA News