NBI Chief Says Initial Findings Indicate Irregularities in ₱3.7-Billion SEA Games Fund Transfer

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said the agency’s continuing inquiry into public funds connected with the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games has found indications of corruption in the records reviewed so far.

In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point,” Matibag said investigators had collected enough documents to support what he described as reasonable, logical and solid initial findings.

“I think we have enough documents, sufficient documents to come out with a reasonable, logical and solid findings,” Matibag said. Asked what the records appeared to show, he replied: “There is really corruption. ’Yun ’yung lumalabas.”

Matibag’s statement reflects the NBI leadership’s assessment of an active investigation. It is not a court judgment, a criminal conviction or, by itself, proof that any particular person committed an offense. Formal findings, possible complaints and any later prosecution would still be subject to legal procedures and the rights of the people or organizations involved.

The inquiry initially focused on approximately ₱3.7 billion transferred from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, or PHISGOC, the private body that helped organize the 2019 event.

Investigators are examining allegations that some funds did not undergo the required government audit and liquidation processes. Those allegations remain subject to the NBI’s final findings and any review by other authorized government institutions.

Matibag said Philippine Sports Commission Chair John Patrick Gregorio, who previously served on the PHISGOC board, appeared before investigators and provided testimony and documents. He added that other individuals had also submitted records relevant to the inquiry.

The NBI director also said some former PHISGOC officials had not yet appeared despite subpoenas. A failure to appear does not establish guilt, and the reasons or legal responses of the individuals concerned should be considered before conclusions are drawn.

According to Matibag, the documents reviewed by investigators were consistent with information previously reported to the bureau. The agency has not yet released a complete public final report identifying every transaction, person or possible violation covered by its findings.

Separate reporting has indicated that the broader review may involve additional government transfers and other financial records beyond the ₱3.7-billion amount highlighted in the interview. For clarity, this report uses ₱3.7 billion because that was the specific transfer discussed in Matibag’s televised remarks; it should not be read as a final accounting of all funds under review.

Any person or organization named in a future NBI complaint is entitled to respond to the allegations and to due process. Connect TV Channel has not independently examined the complete evidence and is reporting Matibag’s statements with appropriate attribution.

Connect TV Channel will update this article when the NBI releases its final report, files a formal complaint or receives a substantive response from parties directly affected by the investigation.