The Ombudsman has created a fact-finding investigation panel to look into the alleged corruption in the handling of Southeast Asian Games funds.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires said yesterday that he has given the seven-member panel the “discretion” to handle the investigation.
“I have just created a panel to conduct a fact-finding investigation. Pag may nakitang ebidensya, then we will be forced to file a case against those officials who are involved in the alleged corruption,” he said.
Martires said that everyone involved, including officials from private foundation Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, will be thoroughly investigated.
Speaker of the House Alan Peter Cayetano, who heads PHISGOC, has been cleared by President Duterte over the SEAG fiasco.
But Martires said that no one, including Cayetano, is off the hook yet.
“Natural, hindi tayo puwede maging selective sa ating investigation. We have to see kung ano participation ng bawat official ng PHISGOC,” Martires said. “Of course, hindi pupuwede hindi kasama.”
The Ombudsman said he does not know when the investigation would be completed since the length of time involved would depend on the number of documents the panel has to pore through. (Czarina Nicole Ong-Ki)