The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee will not play part in the politics that wraps the controversies hounding the country’s preparation for its hosting of the 30th SEA Games. Phisgoc executive director Tom Carrasco said officials will leave it to Phisgoc chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and Phisgoc chief operating officer Ramon Suzara to answer the questions about the legality of Phisgoc’s existence, lack of funding and its failure to secure key venues needed for the biennial meet. Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) board member Prospero Pichay, the most vocal critic of Phisgoc, said the body should “cease to exist” as it operates without a board resolution nor has a memorandum of agreement with the local Olympic council. Pichay said the only person who recognizes the validity of Phisgoc as the country’s SEA Games organizing body is POC president Ricky Vargas. He said Vargas even advanced P7.2 million of POC fund to cover Phisgoc’s salary for the month of January. Pichay said he would raise the issue when the POC executive council meets on 29 March. Carrasco said it’s up to ranking POC officials to answer these allegations. “We will not meddle in politics,” said Carrasco, speaking on behalf of Phisgoc’s rank-and- file employees that reportedly already ballooned to 240. “If there are issues concerning our organization, we will just let our top officials answer them. We’ll just continue working for the success of the SEA Games.” Carrasco, however, admitted Phisgoc has its own share of shortcomings, especially in the selection of venues. Initially, the organizing body was looking at high-profile venues like the Mall of Asia Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Marriott Hotel, SMX Convention Center and Philippine International Convention Center to host sports that would be held outside the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. Basketball, a sport considered as the national pastime of Filipinos, was also moved from the Mall of Asia Arena to Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. “Yes, there were setbacks. But we’re trying to do our best to make ends meet,” said Carrasco, who is in charge of venues, information technology and games services. So far, Phisgoc had already processed the entries by number of 10 other participating countries. The Philippines is looking at sending around 9,000 athletes, but the number is expected to take a hit once various national sports associations and the SEA Games task force started to screen the competitors. “Except for Laos which asked for a one-week extension, all 10 countries have already complied,” said Carrasco, adding that they will continue working while waiting for further development. “It’s now up to the top officials to settle their difference. As for us, we will continue working and follow orders from higher officials.”