The conflict over a giant cauldron heats up.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano slammed former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino over his negative remark on the giant cauldron that the country will use in its hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Cayetano, also the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, said he was offended by the comment of the former Chief Executive, who agreed with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon that it would be better if the P55 million that they spent for the cauldron be used in constructing school buildings.

In his interpellation during the budget hearing of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last Tuesday, Drilon tagged the cauldron as "extravagant" and "unnecessary."

The opposition stalwart said they will observe a ceasefire for the sake of the competing athletes, but he would file a resolution ordering for an investigation as soon as the prestigious biennial meet is over.

Then, Aquino made a remark, saying that he agrees with Drilon and the government could have built a cheaper cauldron.

"I was really saddened upon watching our former President Aquino's interview yesterday. Why? First of all, they announced a ceasefire last Tuesday," Cayetano said in a speech during their venue inspection at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

"They said for the athletes, for the country because many do not know, the 11 national organizing committees of the 11 countries, including the Philippines, are in the country already."

"So they said 'ceasefire, we will continue after the Games' and I said 'do not worry, after the Games, even if you invite me every day, I would answer.'"

Cayetano revealed that Aquino is no saint.

In fact, when he was still in power, he told Cayetano, who was then the Senate Majority Leader, not to question the P10 billion fund for the Asia Pacific Economic (APEC) Summit in 2015.

"It seems that he has forgotten that he spoke to me when I was the Majority Leader in the Senate and I saw in the budget that P10 billion is allotted for the APEC."

"And what did he tell us? 'Just be silent before and during because all countries, the international press will all be here'."

### You find the P50 million expensive, but P10 billion is okay with you.

Cayetano said he also asked about the lavish welcome dinner for state leaders and delegates of the APEC summit and said Aquino justified this saying: "This is representation of our country."

"How many classrooms have been built if we did not host the APEC? 10,000 classrooms," Cayetano said.

"You find the P50 million expensive, but P10 billion is okay with you?"

Cayetano emphasized that the cauldron is not overpriced and excessive compared to that of other countries.

*(Photo caption: PHISGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano and other ranking government officials visit the SEA Games cauldron.)*