Cayetano siblings gained news spotlight with SEA Games probe and flood control projects

THE REOPENING of the investigation into the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the probe into Taguig City’s flood control projects focused on the engagement of Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano in problematic issues.  

SEA Games probe

On July 14, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag announced that the agency had received new information and documents and said he was looking into alleged irregularities involving billions of government funds in the procurements for the 2019 SEA Games hosted by the Philippines. The organizing committee, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), was chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

During the impeachment proceedings, the Cayetano siblings questioned the timing of the investigation, claiming it was intended to “intimidate” minority senators.

The issue quickly gained prominence across online, TV, and print news, which covered the NBI director’s announcement as well as the Cayetanos’ criticism of the probe. The news of the sudden reopening of the probe attracted significant public attention. 

While most reports provided brief backgrounders on the controversy, Rappler on July 17 and GMA News Online on July 19 published extended explainers which were notable for detailing the reasons behind NBI reopening the investigation, particularly focused on the supposed mismanagement of funds by the organizing body. 

On July 20, Rappler highlighted the political significance of the action taken by former President Rodrigo Duterte in clearing Cayetano’s name without any effort to probe the case, in contrast to the government investigation required to clear Secretary Vince Dizon of wrongdoing. 

Reports went beyond the issue itself, tracking the war of words between Matibag and Cayetano, with the latter resorting to sharp remarks and some name-calling.  

Inquirer.net  recalled the political tension between Matibag and Cayetano, which included a shooting incident in the Senate along with the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on June 13.  (See CMFR Monitor: Under fire and in the dark: Media coverage of the Senate lockdown fiasco and the hunt for a fugitive senator).

Taguig Flood Control

On July 20, media reported NBI’s announcement of its investigation of alleged irregularities in Taguig City’s flood control projects. Reports mentioned that the probe was followed by Senator Lacson’s claim that billions of pesos worth of anomalies, including alleged ghost projects, double billing, and overlapping infrastructure between 2022 to 2025. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, whose bailiwick is Taguig, denied the allegation and described Lacson’s reveal as politically motivated.

Media framed coverage of the investigation as part of the escalating feud between Lacson and Cayetano. Reports also provided background on the conflict, recalling Cayetano’s July 18 Facebook Live that started the heated exchange, where the senator questioned the substantial increase in Lacson’s declared net worth between 2022 and 2025 while the latter was a private citizen. Lacson denied the allegations and accused Cayetano of his involvement in the Taguig flood control projects, claiming that the latter belongs to jail. 

Most of the reports cited Lacson as a source on the issue. But other media also gained information from other government sources. For example, ANC 24/7’s Karen Davila interviewed on July 27, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon Department who said the agency would fully cooperate with the investigation. Davila’s line of questioning recalled that Dizon and Cayetano had worked together in the 2019 SEA Games. Dizon maintained that he would participate should there be any investigations.

On July 28, after days of media reports on the adversarial exchange between the two, Lacson submitted evidence to the Ombudsman and revealed that significant details of the allegations will be discussed in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on infrastructure anomalies. 

Political personalities involved and petty banter can obscure the more important issues of government transparency. Media bears the responsibility to sustain coverage of these investigations with timely updates that help with public understanding of each development. 

So far, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has yet to hold hearings on this issue. Media reports that the hearing, supposedly conducted by the first week of August, has been delayed due to a lack of consensus among the committee members. On August 2, reports cited Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Erwin Tulfo, who remarked that the committee will have to meet and decide whether to implement its own probe or adhere to the Ombudsman’s ongoing investigation.