Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies will not be exempted from the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects, said Atty. Melvin Matibag, the newly-inducted director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In an ambush interview in Pasay City, Matibag said he will hold even Duterte’s friends and allies accountable if evidence against them is found, despite being known as a Duterte ally himself, reported RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort on Monday.

Matibag said that these officials understand that their friendship or allyship ends when their duty to the country calls.

“Kung mayroong mananagot na aking mga kaibigan, na mga kapartido, kaalyado, dapat po nating papanagutin. Alam po naman nila ‘yun. ‘Yung amin pong pagkakaibigan ay natatapos pagka ‘yung panawagan sa panunungkulan sa bayan ay nandodoon, ano. Kilala po nila ako, alam po nila ‘yan,” he said.

The NBI chief said that only God is sacred, emphasizing that his mandate from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure accountability for those behind the anomalies is a clear one.

“Ang sacred lang po rito ay ang Panginoong Diyos natin, ‘yun lang po ang ating titingnan dito. At malinaw po ang direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na dapat lahat ng mananagot ay mananagot,” he said.

Matibag said he will serve in accordance with the NBI’s mandate, not the person who appointed him.

On Friday, Matibag took his oath as the new director of the NBI at Malacañang.