NBI chief dares Sara Duterte’s camp to file case over bias claims

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday challenged Vice President Sara Duterte to file a case against him if her camp believes he is acting improperly amid the bureau’s investigation into allegations involving her.

Matibag was responding to a statement from the vice president’s camp describing him as “evidently politically biased” against her.

At a news conference on Thursday, Matibag was asked to elaborate on his earlier statement in a radio interview that those who believe he was biased or had done something wrong should file a case against him.

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“If they think they have been wronged and we have done something wrong, there is a proper process for questioning us and filing a case against us if necessary,” Matibag said.

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READ: Sara Duterte’s lawyer: Matibag is evidently politically biased vs VP

“It would be very difficult to say that just because I am in charge, something would be done even if it were wrong. I don’t think that’s the case. The people here at the NBI are professionals,” he added.

Matibag emphasized that NBI personnel were doing their jobs “in accordance with the process and the law,” regardless of whether the individuals involved were high-profile figures.

READ: NBI refers alleged discrepancy in Sara Duterte SALN to Ombudsman

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Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, earlier described Matibag as a “person heavily burdened with conflict of interest” in his investigation into allegations made by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. against the vice president.

Gracioso, a former aide to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, has claimed that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash in suitcases, in installments beginning in 2018, on the instructions of Velasco and his wife, Rowena.

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The former police officer also accused former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte of involvement in the alleged “cash delivery” scheme.

The camps of the Dutertes and the Velascos have denied Gracioso’s allegations. /das