Duterte trust on Phisgoc, PSC intact amid SEAG controversies

President Durterte says he trusts Phisgoc chair Alan Peter Cayetano. (PCOO)

Amid all the controversies hounding the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, President Rodrigo Duterte is not inclined to believe that House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, as head of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), is involved in corruption.

That is, until a full-blown investigation is held with the Commission on Audit’s report on how the P6-billion SEA Games fund was spent.

“Yes, he [Cayetano] has to answer but I am sure Cayetano is not involved in corruption pero iyung ibang binigyan ng (but maybe the others who were given) task[s],” Duterte said Thursday night in Malacañang where he graced the 2019 OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) program held at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang.

“I know that Cayetano could not handle everything. He has to delegate this. You have different levels of echelons, you know? There is a supervisor, for this to be carried out properly.”

Duterte also affirmed his faith in the leadership of Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez, whom he has known since he first became mayor of Davao City in the 1980s.

“Ramirez has been with me ever since I was a mayor. He’s from Davao, he used to be the coach of Ateneo de Davao. I got him in and until now he is with me,” said Duterte.

If Phisgoc would be investigated, Duterte said he will summon retired COA officials and his lawyer-friends to assist in the inquiry.

“No, I am not investigating Cayetano. I am just trying to find out because I think I said the money must be properly disbursed,” Duterte said.

Cayetano, meanwhile, fired back at purveyors of false media reports, which he said comprise “95 percent” of the controversies.

“I do know that during the digital age we need to report immediately, but that doesn’t take out the responsibility to check if it’s true or not,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano cited claims that football players were served kikiam, a common street food snack, which was later corrected by hotel staff as chicken sausage.

Another news outlet also posted a photo of a supposed unfinished Biñan Stadium, much to the dismay of Laguna’s local officials. The news outfit eventually admitted they posted the wrong photo and apologized for the mistake.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo urged the media to be “more prudent in their reporting and avoid publishing information without verification.”

At the same time, Panelo urged Phisgoc to “perform better.”

“The critics have a point,” Panelo said. “There is indeed something wrong with the preparations.” (With a report from AFP)