Bong Go vows probe into SEA Games missteps after event

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday announced that he would seek an investigation into the apparent missteps in the staging of the 30th Southeast Asian Games amid complaints from athletes and officials from participating countries.

Go indicated that he would seek an inquiry into the matter when the games had been finished.

“There is a right time for everything. Huwag tayong magturuan ngayon. But after the games, papanagutin natin ang dapat na managot,” Go said in a privilege speech on Monday.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, the chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee,  on Sunday night visited foreign delegations who suffered transportation, food, practice and hotel inconveniences upon their arrival in the country for the games.

A post by the 2019 SEA Games official Facebook page said Cayetano apologized to the teams from Timor Leste, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Brunei.

“Ang sabi nila dati ay almost ready and complete na ang preparation, venues, and everything that will be used for the games. As of October 30, 2019, PHISGOC stated that preparations are 90% complete. Bakit nangyari ang mga ganito?” Go said.

“Hindi apology ang kailangan natin ngayon. Hindi ito madadaan sa apology lamang. Ang kailangan ay gisingin lahat. Huwag papatay-patay," he added.

"Anim na araw na lang po at opening na ng Southeast Asian Games at may ilang laro na nagsimula na. May ilang bisita at manglalaro na ang nagsisidatingan. Kaya dapat maayos na ito,” Go said.

Go on Monday urged the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, and PHISGOC not to let the event fail.

"As the chair of the committee on sports and a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee, handa po tayo na mag-imbestiga sa mga kapalpakan na mangyayari sa hosting natin sa Southeast Asian Games,” Go said.

“I am, therefore, delivering this privilege speech to urge PSC, POC, PHISGOC and all Filipinos—huwag po nating hayaan na pumalpak ito,” he said.

He added he will make sure that those responsible for the deficiencies will be held accountable after the event.

Go said each agency has their own responsibility but it did not mean that they will let the others fail.

He said the PSC, along with the Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service, is the main implementor of the funding and public procurement aspect of the SEA games.

On the other hand, PHISGOC is primarily responsible for the planning and actual preparations, organization, management, and execution of the hosting of the 30th SEA Games; while the POC takes charge of running the technical aspects of all sporting events.

“To all the parties, tandaan niyo: ang kapalpakan ng isa ay kapalpakan nating lahat. Let me remind everyone that you will be answerable to the President and most especially to the Filipino people," Go said.

Go in October joined Cayetano and other House members in inspecting the sports facilities at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Excitement stirs up as the world-class New Clark City sports complex shows the country’s readiness to host the upcoming 30th South East Asian Games.

“With these state-of-the-art facilities, we can show the athletes and guests from our neighboring countries that the Philippines is more than capable of hosting international sports events,” Go said.  

The Senator added that through the New Clark City development, national athletes will have “easy access to world-class sports facilities and therefore be able to develop their full potential, [and] winning in international sports competitions will be a regular achievement for Filipino athletes in the years to come.” —NB, GMA News

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