NBI requests COA, SEC records for SEA Games probe

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has requested documents and reports from the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the 2019 SEA Games and the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

In a letter dated July 21 signed by NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the bureau requested one copy of the final COA Audit Report covering the Philippine Sports Commission relative to the 2019 SEA Games and PHISGOC.

“This document is essential to verify findings, establish facts, and trace fund flows in the course of our official investigation,” it said.

The NBI said it is investigating alleged irregularities, financial anomalies, and possible violations of anti-graft, corruption, and related laws involving funds, disbursements, and procurement activities linked to the SEA Games and PHISGOC, including transactions with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

In a separate letter, the NBI requested the following documents from the SEC on the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Foundation Inc. covering the period from 2017 up to the present:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Incorporation
• By-Laws
• Audited Financial Statement
• General Information Sheet
• Beneficial Ownership Declaration
• Board Resolution on sale/transfer of non-current assets

“This request is made for an investigation being conducted by this Bureau,” it said.

The NBI has established “Task Force Cash Cow” to investigate alleged anomalies in the country’s hosting of the SEA Games.

The NBI began investigating PHISGOC after receiving “new information and documents.” —LDF, GMA News