Retired auditors tapped to probe SEA Games irregularities
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2019 05:56:48 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he would designate a group of former government auditors to investigate the alleged irregularities in the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Speaking to reporters in Malacañang on Thursday night, Duterte said he wanted retired auditors from the Commission on Audit (COA) to handle the SEA Games investigation since they were competent in financial audit.
“That is why I said let us investigate. But you know, as a — if you are a reasonable man, of which I am calling everybody a man — do not create a firestorm now because we are in the thick of preparation. Let us investigate after,” Duterte said during a media interview.
“And I assure you I will investigate. I will task…. but with more auditors. ‘Yung nagre — nag-resign — nag-retire na sa mga audit, sa opisina. COA. Kasi mas madali ‘yan sila. May alam eh (Those who resigned and retired from office, from COA because it would be easier because they would know),” he added.
Duterte admitted that he was wondering how the SEA Games funds were used following reports of logistical lapses that inconvenienced the athletes.
The government has allotted P6 billion for hosting the 2019 SEA Games from November 30 to December 11 this year.
“In the first place, sabi ko (I said), ‘Where’s the money?’ You should have had a group paid exactly to do what was a fiasco for the delegations coming in without somebody meeting them,” the President said.
“Even if there are volunteers, in the critical thing of meeting and seeing to it that they are properly delivered to their dormitories or hotels or whatever. ‘Yun ang nakita ko na hindi maganda (That’s what I saw that wasn’t good),” he added.
The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, has been hounded by several controversies, ranging from accusations of overpriced materials, not being able to ferry football teams from other countries to their respective hotels, mixed-up press cards and inadequate breakfast for athletes, to unfinished sporting venues.
Several critics, including Sen. Franklin Drilon, asked why Phisgoc was allowed to handle the organizing of the SEA Games alone, despite corruption issues that Duterte himself mentioned in July.
But Duterte believed in the integrity of Cayetano, who he said, would not use government funds earmarked for the biennial regional sports meet to engage in corrupt activities.
“I am sure Cayetano is not involved in corruption,” the President said.
“I could not think of corruption kasi ang mga head niyan, puro taga-gobyerno at (because the men who lead the Phisgoc are from the government and known to be) men of integrity,” he added.
While he expressed confidence that Cayetano would never be involved in corruption, the President acknowledged the need for the Phisgoc head to answer all the allegations hurled against the SEA Games organizers.
“Yes, he has to answer but I do not think corruption is [involved],” Duterte said.
“I am not investigating Cayetano. I am just trying to find out because I think I said the money must not have been properly disbursed. I know that Cayetano could not handle everything. He has to delegate yung mga ganoon (the tasks to others),” he added.
Meanwhile, Duterte said he was amenable to the proposal to let Filipinos enjoy free viewing of SEA Games to be held in government-owned sports facilities but was not keen on suspending school classes.
“Kung ako, libre lahat. Una-una mag-linya ang Pilipino dun (If I had my way, it will be free. Filipinos will be the first in line),” the President said.
“Unfortunately, I am not the deciding authority, I have to defer to the organizer. But sabi ni Senator (Christopher Lawrence) Go now whispering to me, pwede except sa volleyball and basketball, indoor eh,” he added.
Citing information from Go, the President explained that SEA Games tickets for basketball and volleyball could not be offered for free since these would be held in private venues such as the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
“Ang pinag-aralan ngayon, libre lahat except volleyball and basketball kasi hindi tayo may-ari ng venue, MOA, so it’s a privately owned ground there,” Duterte said.
“Yung iba baka libre na siguro, kasi maawa ako sa mga Pilipino na di makaano just because walang pera (The others can be free because I feel sorry for Filipinos who can’t watch just because they don’t have money),” he added.
The President is opposed to the proposal to cancel classes in Metro Manila during the SEA Games.
He said the period of the games was too long for the students to miss classes.
“That’s too long. Kung ako ang estudyante niyan. palakpak lang ako ng palakpak. Gusto nya Olympic na lang araw-araw. (If I were a student, I would applaud that idea. They would want the Olympics to be held every day). I do not agree. That’s too long, that’s too long. That is simply too long,” he said.