Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida on Monday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) respects the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) decision to investigate allegations involving 11 supposed "ghost" flood control projects in Taguig.

Vida clarified that the DOJ did not direct the NBI to launch the probe, saying the investigation falls within the bureau's legal mandate.

Vida clarified that the DOJ did not direct the NBI to launch the probe, saying the investigation falls within the bureau's legal mandate.

"The NBI has independence relative to its mandate to pursue the investigation," he said.

He added that if the findings are eventually submitted to the DOJ, prosecutors will evaluate the case solely on the basis of the evidence gathered.

"It will be based on the pieces of evidence presented. Rule of law will be observed," Vida said, stressing that any action by the department would be evidence-based.

Vida issued the statement after NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed that the bureau had begun looking into Senator Panfilo Lacson's allegations of "ghost" flood control projects in Taguig.

Matibag said the NBI took notice of the allegations after Lacson publicly hinted at possible irregularities involving projects in the city represented by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Earlier, Lacson teased possible disclosures involving Cayetano, saying, "And yes, there is Blue Ribbon hearings, huwag siyang mainip, meron ding ghost sa Taguig."

Cayetano denied the allegations during a Facebook Live broadcast, insisting that repeated inspections found no ghost projects in the city.

"Ma-assure ko kayo na walang ghost projects sa Taguig. To the best of our knowledge, ilang beses nang nag-inspect," he said.

The NBI has also launched a separate investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which the DOJ earlier said was likewise initiated by the bureau on its own.

The DOJ emphasized that although the NBI is an attached agency of the department, it has sufficient operational independence to conduct investigations either upon referral or motu proprio, in accordance with its mandate under the law.

"The NBI has independence relative to its mandate to pursue the investigation," he said.

He added that if the findings are eventually submitted to the DOJ, prosecutors will evaluate the case solely on the basis of the evidence gathered.

"It will be based on the pieces of evidence presented. Rule of law will be observed," Vida said, stressing that any action by the department would be evidence-based.

Vida issued the statement after NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed that the bureau had begun looking into Senator Panfilo Lacson's allegations of "ghost" flood control projects in Taguig.

Matibag said the NBI took notice of the allegations after Lacson publicly hinted at possible irregularities involving projects in the city represented by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Earlier, Lacson teased possible disclosures involving Cayetano, saying, "And yes, there is Blue Ribbon hearings, huwag siyang mainip, meron ding ghost sa Taguig."

Cayetano denied the allegations during a Facebook Live broadcast, insisting that repeated inspections found no ghost projects in the city.

"Ma-assure ko kayo na walang ghost projects sa Taguig. To the best of our knowledge, ilang beses nang nag-inspect," he said.

The NBI has also launched a separate investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which the DOJ earlier said was likewise initiated by the bureau on its own.

The DOJ emphasized that although the NBI is an attached agency of the department, it has sufficient operational independence to conduct investigations either upon referral or motu proprio, in accordance with its mandate under the law.