Ombudsman probes SEA Games alleged corruption

AFTER ALLEGATIONS of corruption during the preparation of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games from numerous critics, the Office of the Ombudsman said on Monday, December 9 that it will probe the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

Ombudsman Samuel Martires said that the investigation has begun and will cover all PHISGOC officials including House Speaker Alan Cayetano.

The ongoing SEA Games being hosted by the Philippines has been under fire for several mishaps before the opening of the event. Critics fired at the subpar treatment of the delegates, unfinished venues, alleged corruption, and the infamous P50-million-worth cauldron.

President Rodrigo Duterte had expressed his dismay on the SEA Games fiasco and ordered to investigate the matter.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the criticism that PHISGOC is receiving has a point and should be addressed by the individuals involved.

“An array of criticisms has been made on how PHISGOC has handled the logistics of this momentous event, and these should be accepted and considered in order to rectify the errors it has committed,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a statement.

“The Office of the President will also be conducting a separate probe on the aberrations and irregularities in the administration of our country’s hosting of the SEA Games immediately after the games,” added the Duterte spokesman.

Cayetano, on the other hand, vowed to face the investigations over the alleged irregularities. He insisted that he did not pocket the funds provided for the games, but blamed the delay of the budget.

Cayetano also said, through a statement, that he did not earn a single cent from the SEA games and even shelled out money because of the delay.

“There’s news today and sabi ni Senator [Panfilo] Lacson para daw [Janet] Napoles. Sabi din ni Senator [Franklin] Drilon, ’yong ‘ kaldero ni Cayetano.’ I’m willing to have a lie detector test, kaming tatlo. And I can look anyone in the eye [and say] ni singko, wala kaming kinita dito sa SEA Games. (There’s news today and Senator Lacson said it’s like Napoles. Senator Drilon also mentioned Cayetano’s cauldron. I’m willing to have a lie detector test with the three of us. And I can look anyone in the eye and say that I did not earn even a single centemo in the SEA Games),” he explained.

PHISGOC is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a nonstock, non-profit group, and created solely for the hosting of the SEA Games. ■

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN / FACEBOOK