Duterte defends P50-M SEA Games cauldron

A photo of the 30th SEA Games cauldron at New Clark City is released by the BCDA on Monday, November 18, 2019. PHOTO FROM BCDA

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night said there is no corruption involved in the P50-million Southeast Asian Games cauldron, saying "it is a product of the mind" of the creator.

"There can never be corruption in that situation because you commissioned a national artist," Duterte said in a late night press conference.

"It is a product of the mind. You cannot estimate how much nalugi ka because it is a rendition of the mind of the creator," he added.

Duterte was referring to the late National Artist for Architecture in 2018 Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa, who designed the cauldron for this year's biennial meet.

"If that's the price of the artist, then you cannot control that. Walang extravagance diyan," he said.

Duterte also hit Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who questioned the multi-million cauldron, saying its cost could've been spent to construct 50 classrooms.

"Well, that is debatable my friend, Senator Drilon," he said.

"We build schools, yes. We build infrastructures for an Olympic event, yes," he added. — BAP, GMA News