National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag has denied Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s claim that former president Rodrigo Duterte had questioned him over alleged corruption, citing his appointments and promotion under the previous administration.
Matibag said he was appointed president and chief executive officer of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) during Duterte’s presidency and was later promoted to Cabinet secretary before the former president’s term ended.
“Si Atty. Matibag, at that time nung sinabi niya 'yan, ay pumasok ako sa DOE as President ng TransCo, CEO. Pero bago matapos ang term ni Pangulong Duterte, prinomote pa ako na Cabinet Secretary,” Matibag said.
The NBI chief recalled that the former president had repeatedly warned government officials that anyone tainted by corruption would be immediately dismissed.
“Sabi ni former President Duterte, ‘just a whiff of corruption.’ Tatanggalin ka, di ba? Marami siyang tinanggal,” Matibag said, referring to officials removed during the previous administration.
He added that he completed his tenure despite the former president’s strict stance against corruption, noting that he sat just one seat away from Duterte during Cabinet meetings.
Matibag dismissed the congressman’s claim as unsubstantiated, describing it as “marites” and suggesting that Pulong Duterte may not have personally discussed the matter with his father.
The NBI director is currently facing scrutiny following allegations by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered suitcases containing ₱100 million in cash to Matibag on the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. The allegations have yet to be established.
The bureau is also investigating flood control projects in Pulong Duterte’s congressional district.
In a Facebook post, the congressman said he recalled his father raising questions about Matibag in connection with corruption allegations.
Matibag’s response comes amid the ongoing investigation into the claims against him and the NBI’s separate inquiries involving properties allegedly linked to the Duterte family.
