National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said that the planned “blue ribbon hearing” organized by the so-called Cayetano bloc is not a formal Senate proceeding but would amount only to a press conference.
In an interview on DZRH News’ “Dos Por Dos”, Matibag said the gathering being organized by the group linked to former Rep. Mike Defensor and allied with the Cayetano bloc does not meet the requirements of an official Senate committee hearing, noting that it will not be held within Senate premises and has not been properly constituted under Senate rules.
“Hindi sa premises ng Senado gagawin… That will be a press conference,” Matibag said, stressing that a legitimate Blue Ribbon hearing is exclusive to the Senate and must be conducted under its recognized committee leadership.
He added that holding the event outside the Senate and presenting it as a formal inquiry could mislead the public.
“It poses a problem. Nagkakaroon ng kalituhan. Hindi po dapat natin kino-confuse,” he said, adding that there were no valid subpoenas issued compelling participation.
Matibag also said no official invitation had been received from the group organizing the event, and questioned claims that it would function as a Senate inquiry.
He further alleged that presenting the gathering as a hearing could be an attempt to “give a plot of legitimacy” to what he described as a non-official proceeding.
“Okay lang magsalita, magsabi ng iyong pagkontra, mga bagay na kailangan sabihin, pero let's not confuse the people,” he said, adding that the situation could distract public attention from ongoing official proceedings.
Matibag also noted that amid the special session called by the President on June 17, only duly constituted Senate bodies have authority to conduct official hearings.
He said the NBI continues to recognize the current Blue Ribbon Committee leadership under Sen. Erwin Tulfo, which previously held an organizational meeting with the NBI and other key groups in the ongoing flood control scandal probe.
The statement comes amid competing claims over Senate committee authority and parallel inquiries being organized by different blocs within the chamber.
