Cayetano says he’s ready to face Ombudsman probe

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is ready to face the investigation being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman into allegations of corruption in the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"We welcome this as an opportunity to put to rest all the questions so that we may move forward in celebrating the success of our athletes and honoring the sacrifices of our workforce and volunteers," Cayetano said in a Facebook post on Monday.

"We will fully support all investigations, and as I said before, I am ordering full transparency, audits and opening of all books," he added.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Monday announced that he has formed a seven-strong fact-finding panel to probe allegations of corruption among SEA Games organizers, regardless of their affiliation or government agency.

Cayetano insisted, however, that there are no irregularities in the country's hosting of the biennial sporting event.

He added that he was aware early on that cases would be filed against the organizers no matter how strict they were in handling the affairs, but that he still accepted the job of heading the organizing team because "it is about time we show the world what a unified Filipino nation is capable of doing."

Cayetano also repeated his warning to those involved in the supposed spread of fake news and malicious lies in relation to the SEA Games.

"Personally I forgive you, but for the national interest there will be accountability and reckoning," he said.

"I believe everything that happens is according to God’s plan. I accepted this challenge because He called me to take it up. Not for myself, but for our athletes and for our country. And now, it is in Him that I place my trust," he added. — BM, GMA News