It’s fake you

Much has been said about the controversial hosting of PHISGOC of the 30th SEA Games, but most of it has been generally in the context of a “War of the Trolls.” Many people have even resorted to unfounded generalizations and bashing on both sides so much so that many people forget what the real problem is. To begin with, very few people actually know that the Philippines was not suppose to host the 30th SEA Games. That responsibility was supposed to be with Brunei, but the Kingdom opted to beg off. Only then did the Philippines step up to bid for the hosting duties. After getting the assignment, the presumption was that who ever was head of the Philippine Sports at the time would automatically be the chairman or head of the Sea Games organizing committee. But as many know, the sporting community had numerous clashes that led to an overhaul of leadership. I have no idea how Speaker Cayetano managed to wrangle the position via PHISGOC, but I do recall President Duterte saying back in June or July that he did not want any foundation handling the SEA Games because that is how corruption often starts. So our headaches first started when we took on a responsibility that was not ours. Playing hero brought home so many complications and burdens.

So now all sorts of comments are popping up on social media and eventually on traditional media and international media outlets about pre-opening problems. Most of these are “personal” posts by people who are directly or indirectly affected by the shortcomings of the PHISGOC and NOT against the Philippine government. Those comments have never been an attack against President Duterte. They are not anti-Philippines; they are not “unpatriotic” and does not mean they don’t support the athletes. A number of the complaints and observations came from athletes from different participating countries. The comments were generally constructive criticism of operational and organizational blunders of people who are backed by a P6 billion plus budget just for the games, and does not include several billions for the construction of a separate sports arena at Clark City. If one senator questioned the unusual cost of the P55-million cauldron in Clark, it is within his authority and responsibility as part of our checks and balance. Whatever side or political color each of us may hold, it is also our responsibility to respect other people especially when they are doing their jobs or commenting because their “job” is directly affected or impacted by mistakes or incompetence of others.

Every athlete that joined the 30th SEA Games has a “job” and are working on a strict schedule for training, rest, mental preparation as well as a regimen for food and nutrition. If they complain about lost time to rest, to train or to sleep because the host did not deliver on their commitments, we should not bash them just because we feel compelled to out of a misplaced or false claim to nationalism, or because we mistakenly think they are being anti-Duterte or because we work for government. Don’t let your loyalties or politics turn you into someone who loses respect for others just because they are not aligned with your views or expectations. Having said that, there are an equal number of Filipinos who are also simply being critical for criticism sake because they are anti-Duterte or Oppositionists at heart. They are also welcome to their opinion and comments for as long as these are factual and truthful and respectful. What is unpatriotic is when we make politically motivated statements and dress them up as patriotic pronouncements. That is unpatriotic because it’s not for the country but all about your political leaning. It’s not Fake News – It’s Fake You.

So aside from the fact that we should not have taken on the role, and not being ready and able to do the hosting jobs, the organizers clearly failed, whether unintentionally or intentionally, to conduct and sustain sufficient public information on the progress, plans and actual events of the 30th SEA Games. They could have given or shared photos, video images and updates on the construction/ renovation of the event venues. They could have shown all the places that athletes would be billeted in, they could have but they did not and that is why their haters got in the first blow. Sadly, instead of managing the problems with good PR and addressing the complaints, certain officials responded with denial after denial and when that did not work, they let the TROLLS out. They even went as far as accusing media outlets of promoting negativism and actively making the government and the country look bad. Some people must have thought that what worked in the last presidential election in terms of “shock and awe” or “bash and intimidate” will work again today. Big mistake! The working media does not appreciate being dragged into the war of colors and we do not appreciate “spin doctors” who try to divert blame by making mainstream media look unpatriotic. There are certain things we won’t tolerate and that is one of them!

Instead of holding press conferences and turning them into gripe sessions or attack on the media, PHISGOC officials should concentrate on showing what they have done, what they have built, the problems they have solved etc. etc. Don’t call us out and then “apologize” for the inconveniences. Don’t claim you’ve got things under control while news is breaking out that the “DOT” is now helping, that CERES Bus is sending a fleet to the rescue, that SMART/ PLDT is setting up a communications center and the Muslim officials whose suggestions and offer to help concerning Halal food are now in the kitchen. Worst of all DON’T say other nations have made mistakes in hosting also. That is so immature and amateur. Host well.