SEA Games committee stays as corruption claims ‘deemed false’

Beatrice Go

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

SEA Games committee stays as corruption claims ‘deemed false’
Philippine sports officials vow to be 'united in one leadership' as the 2019 SEA Games hosting preparation gets back on track

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) will continue to oversee the country’s hosting preparation for the regional biennial meet, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez said on Friday, July 19. 

In a meeting with Senator Bong Go, PHISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and Ramirez debunked the corruption allegations that triggered President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to nix the PHISGOC.

“There is no truth to the allegation of corruption,” Ramirez said in a statement, noting that all concerned units are now “united in one leadership.” 

“Yesterday, [Taguig City-Pateros Representative] Alan Peter Cayetano, and myself sat down with Sen. Bong Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to sort out issues being reported by news outfits in the past days.”

The development came just days after Malacañang confirmed that Duterte wanted to give the organizing responsibilities of the 2019 SEA Games to the government, as he accused the PHISGOC of corruption.

The PHISGOC has been on top of the preparations of the regional event slated November 30 to December 11, but reports of alleged corruption within the private organization recently surfaced.

The PHISGOC allegedly entered into questionable deals, including the overpriced training uniforms from sports apparel company Asics. (LOOK: Team PH launches official uniform for 2019 SEA Games)

PHISGOC executive director Ramon Suzara argued, though, that a change in leadership will unduly affect the hosting preparations.

“We assure the athletes and the general public that all decisions and transactions will be done with utmost transparency,” said Ramirez.

“The PSC, through the guidance of the Department of Budget Management and assistance of the Procurement Service shall work together to ensure that public funds are protected and that all disbursements or expenses follow existing government rules and laws.” – Rappler.com

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Clothing, Apparel, Person

author

Beatrice Go

More commonly known as Bee, Beatrice Go is a multimedia sports reporter for Rappler, who covers Philippine sports governance, national teams, football, and the UAAP. Stay tuned for her news and features on Philippine sports and videos like the Rappler Athlete’s Corner and Rappler Sports Timeout.