The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday brushed aside Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s remark calling NBI Director Melvin Matibag a “minion,” saying the agency would continue to rely on evidence, documents, and the law in its probe into alleged corruption in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

In a public statement, the NBI defended Matibag, stating that “a position that cannot be defended with facts is often defended with insults.”

“No one in the Bureau will take offense at the label, nor will it be answered in kind,” it added.

The agency said its work would not be affected by personal attacks, emphasizing that its investigations are based on evidence, documents, and the law.

“The Bureau’s work rests on evidence, on documents, and on the law — and none of these is moved by name-calling,” the NBI said.

During his Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, July 19, Cayetano used the term “minion,” referring to the yellow, capsule-shaped characters from the animated film franchise “Despicable Me,” while criticizing Matibag.

“Ang nangyayari po ngayon ay may mga mastermind talaga at may mga minions,” Cayetano said.

“Alam niyo naman ang pangalan ng mga minions, ‘di ba? Pero itong isa, ‘yang minion na yan, ang pangalan niyan ay Melvin. So, shout out sa iyo ngayong Sunday na ito, Melvin the minion,” he added.

The senator’s remarks came after the NBI reopened its investigation into alleged irregularities involving the procurement and financing of the 2019 SEA Games, which were hosted by the Philippines.

The NBI said its inquiry into the SEA Games was “independent, evidence-based, and intended to ensure transparency in the use of public funds.“

“The NBI added that anyone with relevant information—including Cayetano—is welcome to submit evidence to the bureau,“ the NBI said.

“The inquiry into the conduct and financing of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games was opened for a single reason: billions in public funds appear to have been disbursed outside the ordinary safeguards of competitive bidding and government audit, and the Filipino people are entitled to know how their money was spent,” the bureau added.

The agency said the investigation does not target any individual but seeks accountability regardless of position or affiliation.

“The Bureau reads the Senator's choice of words in exactly that light - and proceeds undeterred,” the agency noted.

The NBI said that its inquiry to the SEA Games was “impartial, evidence-based, and grounded squarely in its mandate under the law.”

“It presumes no one guilty and exempts no one from scrutiny,” the NBI said.

The bureau also invited anyone with relevant information, including Cayetano, to submit evidence directly to investigators.

“Bring their evidence to the Bureau, and not to a livestream,” the NBI said.

The agency maintained that Matibag serves only the public interest and would continue carrying out his duties despite criticism.

“Director Matibag will continue to do the work the Filipino people expect of him. He may be called many things. Beholden will never be one of them,” it added.