Have we gone this low to degrade the Filipino morale? Have we gone this far just to assert our political agenda? Isn’t sports meant to achieve togetherness and unity?

One of the events that pull us together in the Southeast Asian region is the SEA Games. A biennial regional multi-sport event, countries from all over the SEA region come together to bring and showcase each country’s top talent in sports. Here, we see athletes who have worked so tirelessly in their lives to win their respective games and bring home medal finishes. We see hard work, dedication, determination and love to overcome not their competitors but, themselves. More importantly, we see sportsmanship like no other.

Just like these athletes, preparations to make the 30th SEA Games — where our country is a proud host — also require hard work, dedication, determination and love to overcome what we thought could be hardly achieved by our country in this space and time.

Our country, just like any other countries in the region, is struggling to end many problems in society. I will not deny the fact that we have so much on our plate. Yet, showcasing our capability to host these kinds of events is, in fact, something we can be proud of. It is a stepping stone toward development and a reflection of our country’s progress.

It has been 14 years since we last hosted the SEA Games. With those years over time and with the progress our country has achieved under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, we are proud of how much we have achieved as a people and how much our economy has continuously grown to become one of the rising tigers in Asia.

Aside from better logistics where we can now cater more visitors than ever before, infrastructure such as facilities which have been recently constructed by both private and public organizations, such as the world-class Philippine Arena, Olympic-grade class New Clark City Athletic Stadium and the modern and cozy Athlete’s Village, we have definitely surpassed ourselves and many people’s expectations.

More importantly, our athletes have come a long way. The government has continually expressed support by allotting adequate allocation of budget, creating better programs and facilities, and more importantly, providing incentives especially to athletes and individuals who have achieved great distinction in the international stage.

We have all the components necessary to achieve triumph and success. But unfortunately, despite the efforts of the government and the various volunteers and participating organizations, there are certain institutions and individuals who continue to discredit what we have achieved.

What is even sadder is that they do not realize that in their fervent desire to bring shame to the Duterte administration, they are also bringing the nation down with them. Fake news and unfounded criticisms from certain groups and individuals and, sadly, some of the members of the media have spread lies that bring down the name of the country and cripple our credibility to host future big events.

Have we gone this low to degrade the Filipino morale? Have we gone this far just to assert our political agenda? Isn’t sports meant to achieve togetherness and unity?

I have seen many posts on social media that have poisoned and fooled so many. Sure, there have been mishaps in the first few unofficial days of the event, but false accusations of unfinished venues, mere miscommunication and other fake news are blatant attempts of certain quarters from the opposition who want this nation to be divided instead of being united.

One of the most recognizable traits of being a Filipino is our bayanihan spirit, but where is it now when we need it the most? But then again, we need it now more than ever.

We should put aside our differences just for once. The games have just started. Our guests are here. Our athletes have already asked for our support. We need to give it to them. We need to give that now. And for the fake news circulating around the Internet, my advice to you is to know your sources and to see the games and the venues for yourselves. The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee has already made tickets free in games held in government venues. If you have misgivings in what is on the Internet, seeing them for yourself should put your doubts to rest.

Rest assured that once all of this is finished, I assure the public that proper audit and investigation will be done to find out if corruption and incompetence did mar the events. For now, I encourage the nation to stand together as one and I have no doubt, we will all win as one.