National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Monday pushed back against remarks by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who said the bureau had failed to “undermine” the Senate during a recent disruption at the chamber.

“Ang message ko sa NBI, hindi niyo natibag ang Senado. Under Alan Cayetano, hindi niyo natibag ang Senado,” Cayetano said during a press briefing on Monday amid the rumored leadership shake-up in the Senate.

Responding to the remark, Matibag questioned the premise of the accusation and stressed that the bureau’s actions were rooted in law enforcement, not politics.

“Bakit? Gusto ba namin tibagin ‘yung Senado? Gusto lang namin ipatupad ‘yung batas. Saka, it's not about Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, it's about the Senate and the judicial system,” Matibag said.

“That's an institution enshrined in the Constitution. We respect it,” he added.

The exchange comes in the wake of tensions surrounding the May 13 incident, which drew attention to the role of law enforcement agencies in proceedings involving the legislative branch.

Matibag maintained that the NBI recognizes the independence of the Senate as a constitutional body and remains committed to respecting institutional boundaries while fulfilling its duties.

In connection with the ongoing investigation into the Senate gunfire incident, the NBI has released bodycam footage showing that the arrested driver was unarmed and located in a different area when the shooting took place.

Authorities earlier said no firearm was recovered from him, though ammunition was allegedly found in his sling bag, and a gunpowder nitrate test returned positive—results officials said are not conclusive proof he fired a weapon.

The driver has been temporarily released after posting bail on Monday and remains the subject of an ongoing CIDG investigation.