THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it will subpoena Ramon 'Tats' Suzara and two others as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
According to the NBI, Suzara, the former Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) head, was listed as chairman and president of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).
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Aside from Suzara, also to be subpoenaed on Monday are Dexter Estavio and John Lester Buensoceso, who were listed as chief financial officer and corporate secretary of PHISGOC, respectively, under documents submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PHISGOC was the private company than organized and staged the 2019 Games, which, according to the NBI, has left financial transactions that need to be looked into.
“Sa Lunes po, mag-i-issue tayo ng subpoena… maimbitahan si Ramon Suzara, si Dexter Estacio, John Lester Buensuceso at iba pang directors [ng PHISGOC," said NBI director Melvin Matibag.
Matibag said the bureau has already obtained copies of PHISGOC’s General Information Sheets (GIS) from 2019 up to 2026, as well as the organization’s financial and audited financial statements.
Off the bat, the NBI chief mentioned entries in PHISGOC's financial statements like P650 million in rental expenses and over P300 million in consultancy fees.
“Hawak ko na rin dito yung mga financial statements na may rental na nagastos, P650 million, P300 million plus na consultancy. Tsaka nakuha ko na rin po yung audited financial statement ng kumpanya na ito,” Matibag said.
Suzara has previously come under scrutiny for the enormous cost in the country's hosting of the FIVB World Men's Volleyball Championship last September before he was ousted as president of the national volleyball federation.
Matibag also wondered why Senator Allan Peter Cayetano was identified and was presented as chairman of PHISGOC when documents obtained from SEC revealed it was the controversial Suzara who held that position aside from being president.
“Based on the record po ng SEC, yung hawak nating papel ngayon, hindi po naman lumalabas yung kanyang pangalan," he said.
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