[Updated June 25, 2026, 6:36 p.m.]
MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday challenged former lawmaker Mike Defensor to file a case against his wife, Laguna 1st District Rep. Ann Matibag, if he has evidence of her supposed involvement in flood control project corruption.
Matibag said this after Defensor, on Wednesday, alleged that Ann Matibag is involved in corruption in billions of pesos worth of flood control projects in San Pedro, Laguna.
READ: NBI to file human trafficking complaint vs Mike Defensor Friday
“As for his dragging others into the issue and accusing those involved in flood control projects — including my family — if he has solid evidence, then he should file a case,” Matibag said.
“If they think that Mike Defensor is being harassed, as his lawyer says, they should file a case against me. Don’t involve other members of the NBI,” he pointed out.
Responding to this, Defensor asserted that Ann Matibag allegedly allocated around P1.2 billion for flood control projects, citing the “Cabral files,” or documents from the late former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
When asked if he plans to file a proper complaint for this, as challenged by the NBI chief, the former lawmaker told the INQUIRER in a Viber message, “In time.”
READ: Charges filed vs Mike Defensor’s wife, son over human trafficking case
Defensor’s statement against the NBI chief’s lawmaker-wife followed the announcement that the bureau is set to file qualified human trafficking charges against him, his wife Julie Defensor, and their child, among others, for allegedly being connected to the Chicago KTV bar and Bleu Hotel, which were supposedly used to commit human trafficking activities.
The charges will be filed before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office on Friday, Matibag earlier said.
It was on April 21 when the NBI raided the KTV bar over alleged sexual exploitation activities involving more than 50 women victims, who were allegedly made to work as “customer care assistants” while being subjected to sexual exploitation in exchange for a fee of around P15,000.
The Defensor family denied the allegation, calling it “politically motivated.” /das /mr
