Ramirez: Handling of SEA Games funds above board

Amid controversies surrounding the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games, a “unity meeting” has been set Wednesday at Malacañang with officials and athletes expected to attend and pledge their “cooperation and all-out support” to the endeavor.

According to Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez, all nationals sports associations taking part in the SEAG along with five athletes each are invited to join the top brass of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) and the PSC in pledging unity and national commitment.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea is expected to lead the government entourage in the meeting.

“If we want to win as one, we should embrace a united front. ‘One team, one goal.’ The country should come together and be united in supporting this government effort,” Ramirez said.

The PSC chief announced the assembly a day after meeting with Medialdea, Sen. Bong Go, Taguig City Rep. and Phisgoc chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo to “sort out issues” lodged at Phisgoc.

Ramirez maintained there are no irregularities in the handling of funds for the hosting of the SEAG and assured everyone that “all the dealings the Phisgoc and the POC will enter with the government through the PSC will be transparent and above board.”

“There is no truth to the allegation of corruption,” said Ramirez.

The government has earmarked P7 billion for the staging of the 11-country SEAG in November.

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