Duterte defends Cayetano over SEA Games mess
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2019 12:43:49 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday defended Alan Peter Cayetano, the controversial head of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), amid the reported blunders and anomalies in the country’s hosting of the biennial regional sporting meet.
Speaking to reporters in Malacañang, Duterte said he believed Cayetano was not involved in any act of corruption during the preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“I am not investigating Cayetano. I’m just trying to find out. Because I think the money might not have been properly disbursed,” Duterte said during a media interview.
“I know that Cayetano cannot handle everything. He has to delegate the tasks. You know the different levels of echelons, you know there’s supervisor then lahat na for this to be carried our properly kasi may pera,” he added.
When asked if Cayetano is accountable for SEA Games mess,” Duterte said, “Yes, he has to answer. But I am sure Cayetano is not involved in corruption.”
“Personally there’s a lot of money poured into it and I supposed with that kind of money, you can run things smoothly. Apparently, siguro may mag palpak,” the President said.
“[But] I’m calling everybody, everyone, do not create a firestorm now, because we are in the thick of preparations. Let us investigate after and I assure you, I will investigate,” he added.
No less than Duterte himself has expressed displeasure over the series of lapses that has so far marred the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA Games.
Duterte is calling for an investigation into the allegations of corruption and incompetence in relation to the SEA Games.
Cayetano was Duterte’s running-mate in the May 2016 elections.
The President said he wanted the military to handle logistics of next international sporting events.
“Next time, the military will handle it kasi structural. They are better organizers. Itong military hindi masyadong maano sa corruption,” he said.
“The entire armed forces is an organization, they are structural in thinking,” the President added. CATHERINE S. VALENTE