Manila: Malaca±ang on Friday said Sen. Pia Cayetano need not panic, if she has done nothing wrong. This was after Cayetano said she 'fears' for her liberty and right to speak after discovering that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) tracked her travel movements and return from Singapore.
According to Philippines News Agency, citing NBI Director Melvin Matibag's recent statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the agency was not monitoring Cayetano. 'Hindi kailangang mag-panic si Sen. Pia. Sa huli nating napanuod na interview kay NBI Director Matibag, ayon sa kanya wala siyang ginagawang pagmo-monitor kay Senator Pia at nagtataka nga raw siya sa naging reaksyon ng Senadora (Sen. Pia does not need to panic. In the most recent interview we watched with NBI Director Matibag, he said he was not monitoring Sen. Pia, and he was reportedly surprised by the senator's reaction),' Castro said in a video message.
Castro questioned Cayetano's apprehension, saying it may be a sign of 'paranoia' after the senator's name was mentioned in the alleged PHP1.5 billion budget insertion involving her brother, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. She noted that the funds were reportedly intended for the improvement of Laguna Lake and slope protection.
'Nagpapakita ba ito ng senyales ng paranoia? Kapag walang ginawang mali, hindi kailangang matakot, hindi kailangang mag-panic (Does this show signs of paranoia? If you have done nothing wrong, there is no need to be afraid. There is no need to panic),' Castro said. She said there should be no reason to fear an investigation, if the funds were properly used.
Castro also rejected claims that investigations and the filing of cases in court were politically motivated simply because those involved were not allies. 'Kung tama ang ginawa nilang paggamit ang pondo, walang dapat katakutan. Pero ang bigyang malisya ang pagpapaimbestiga at pagsasampa ng mga kaso sa korte dahil ang mga ito ay hindi daw kaalyado (If the funds were used properly, there is nothing to fear. But to put malice on investigations and the filing of cases in court simply because they are not allies), that is totally unfair,' she said.
Castro stressed that the alleged offenses involving some senators occurred even before the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. She emphasized that government agencies and courts were merely carrying out their mandates. 'Hindi kasalanan ng mga nag-iimbestiga at ng mga korte sa paglilitis ng mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng iilan (It is not the fault of the investigators or the courts trying the cases involving certain individuals),' Castro said. 'Ito ay kanilang mandato, kahit may impeachment o walang impeachment trial, gagawin nila ang kanilang obligasyon (That is their mandate. Whether there is an impeachment or no impeachment trial, they will carry out their obligations),' she added.
