"The SEA Games is a regional sports event that exemplifies unity, fair play and teamwork."
"The SEA Games is a regional sports event that exemplifies unity, fair play and teamwork."
There's merit in the proposal to agree on a ceasefire on the contentious issue regarding the budget of the 30th Southeast Asian Games that reels off on Saturday, November 30 and runs until December 11. This, I think, would allow the participants in the regional sports event to focus on setting records instead of being bothered by political noise.
It was during the plenary deliberations of the Senate on the proposed 2020 budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that Majority Leader Franklin Drilon first raised questions on the “legal personality” and the role of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) in overseeing the preparations for the country’s hosting of the games.
Drilon also expressed reservations over the wisdom of spending P50 million in building the SEA Games cauldron. He said this amount could have been spent to build 50 classrooms at P1 million each.
To clarify matters, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who chairs the PHISGOC, personally appeared before the Senate a day after Drilon's interpellation of Senator Bong Go, who defended the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Cayetano could have invoked inter-parliamentary courtesy and sent subalterns to the hearing. But he chose to appear before the Senate so he could personally respond to all matters related to PHISGOC. According to Senator Bong Go, President Duterte chose Cayetano to head PHISGOC to ensure that the funds for the SEA Games would be properly spent.
The requested budget for the hosting of the 30th SEA Games was P7.5 billion. The Senate, however, reduced this amount to P5 billion. The Office of the President released an additional P1 billion for the hosting of the regional sports competition. Meantime, PHISGOC looked for sponsors in the private sector to help cover the expenses for the event.
Aside from this, PHISGOC also had to contend with the delay in the release of the SEA Games budget due to the delay in the House approval of the 2019 General Appropriations Act.
Cayetano said the SEA Games cauldron, built at a cost of P45 million, was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture, Bobby Mañosa, and should be considered a work of art and an important part of Philippine culture and history. There’s no putting a price tag on a structure that will now form part of the country’s rich heritage, he added.
The Speaker also pointed out that the sports facilities built inside New Clark City will not be white elephants because after the end of the SEA Games, our athletes can continue using them. The New Clark City sports complex has a world-class track and field oval, a fully equipped aquatic center, and dormitories for athletes. Whereas before, our athletes always complained of lack of support and had to go abroad to get proper training, they can now choose to stay here and train in New Clark City.
The Philippines will also host the 10th ASEAN Para Games next year and can offer to host other prestigious sports competitions using the facilities in New Clark City.
The amount spent for hosting the Games will be offset by the tourism revenues that will be generated from the event, and the small businesses that stand to benefit from the influx of visitors to the country.
Cayetano was able to rebut every point raised by Senator Drilon about PHISGOC and his other concerns about the SEA Games. After all, he said he has nothing to hide. When Drilon said that the Commission on Audit should undertake a post-audit of PHISGOC spending for the SEA Games, Cayetano welcomed the suggestion. He said he was willing to face any investigation or audit on this issue.
Rather than take offense, Cayetano even thanked Drilon for allowing him to clear up several issues concerning PHISGOC and the country's of the SEA Games.
Cayetano was not alone in facing the Senate. As a show of support, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and at least six deputy speakers accompanied Cayetano during the plenary deliberations. Had they doubted Cayetano, they would not have wanted to be seen with him at the Senate.
Senator Drilon emphasized that he never said that there was “overpricing” in the projects related to the SEA Games. He also said there was no anomaly involved in PHISGOC’s handling of the SEA Games’ preparations. Since Drilon himself made it clear that there was no overpricing or anomaly involved, then what was the problem all about?
The SEA Games is a regional sports event that exemplifies unity, fair play and teamwork. The Philippines’ hosting of the 30th SEA Games is an opportunity for the country to showcase the best of what we have to offer. Let the Games go on as scheduled, and if there are questions regarding the expenses incurred for it, let the proper entities discuss it in a sober and rational manner, but after the event.
ernhil@yahoo.com