The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched an inquiry into alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Taguig City and may summon Senator Alan Peter Cayetano regarding separate irregularities in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, officials said Monday.

NBI director Melvin Matibag said investigators are reviewing 11 infrastructure projects from 2022 in Taguig City that are allegedly linked to 15 contractors involved in flood control deals valued at approximately P100 billion.

“In fact, we are already investigating because in 2022 he had 11 projects in the city, somehow related to the 15 contractors,” Matibag said.

Addressing potential questions regarding the timing of the probe, Matibag cited that the allegations had previously been raised by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

Lacson brought forward the accusations after Cayetano claimed Lacson had doubled his net worth based on his 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Cayetano has denied the existence of ghost flood control projects in Taguig City, challenging Lacson to investigate other cities rather than singling out Taguig.

During a Facebook Live broadcast on Sunday, Cayetano escalated his criticism of Lacson, accusing the former police chief of protecting an unnamed political patron and targeting rivals.

“That’s how he melts down, by trying to destroy his enemies, jail them,” Cayetano said, claiming Lacson had previously targeted Senators Francis Escudero, Joel Villanueva, Rodante Marcoleta and Erwin Tulfo.

Separately, Matibag announced Monday that the NBI may summon Cayetano as part of a broader, ongoing investigation into the handling of funds and organizational structure of the 2019 SEA Games, which the Philippines hosted.

Matibag said the bureau is gathering evidence and will invite Cayetano to appear before investigators if his name emerges in witness testimonies. Several individuals have already expressed willingness to testify, he added.

Investigators are seeking to clarify why Cayetano acted as chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) despite not being listed as a member of the organization’s board of directors in corporate records. While the Philippine Olympic Committee designated Cayetano as interim chairman, Matibag noted the lack of formal board status raises legal questions.

Matibag described Cayetano’s leadership actions as potentially ultra vires, a legal term for acts taken beyond the scope of one’s legal authority.

“Firstly, how can you be chairman when you identify yourself as chairman but you’re not a member of the board?” Matibag said. “If you acted as chairman when you are not the chairman, that is an ultra vires act.” He added that corporate decisions must be backed by formal board resolutions, which the bureau is working to verify.

The NBI also plans to summon Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is listed in official Securities and Exchange Commission records as the Phisgoc chairman in 2019, to explain why he did not perform the functions of the position during the event.

In addition to Suzara, the NBI will summon Phisgoc chief financial officer Dexter Estacio and corporate secretary John Lester Buenconsejo.

Meantime, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon expressed readiness to comply with any subpoena that may be issued by the NBI in the event he will be summoned to shed light into the alleged anomalies in the holding of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

This was aired by Dizon on Monday in a television interview saying he will cooperate with the inquiry since he has a clear conscience. He told reporters about his readiness to cooperate with the probe during an inspection of the Phase 2 rehabilitation of EDSA early Monday.