Nothing to hide

Asian Volleyball Confederation president and former Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chief operating officer Tats Suzara isn’t hiding behind the curious eventuality that an investigation called by the NBI on alleged irregularities stemming from the country hosting the SEA Games in 2019 comes seven years after the fact. There have been three stagings of the SEA Games since then but Suzara doesn’t mind re-opening the books from when Manila hosted and the Philippines topped the overall medal standings with a haul of 387 medals, including 149 gold.

Suzara said PHISGOC has nothing to hide and its incorporation was above board. While the NBI has summoned PHISGOC officials to shed light on the allegations, Suzara said no complaint has been filed. “As per our lawyers, there is no case,” he said. The allegations are in the nature of unliquidated funds, lack of competitive bidding for some projects and the construction of a P50 million cauldron.

Suzara said while no complaint has been filed, he’s willing to cooperate with authorities in clearing this mess once and for all. For all the years that he has served Philippine sports in various capacities, Suzara never shied away from accountability and transparency. He’s been accused of many things but nothing has stuck. Suzara doesn’t run away from fights, he faces controversies head on. It’s the same situation that he’s now confronted with.

Regarding the allegation of unliquidated funds, Suzara pointed out that on July 15, 2022, PSC chief accountant Erik Mayores certified that every peso has been accounted for with PHISGOC’s financial statements audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers and Isla Lipana and Co. Records show that PHISGOC received P2,315,291,733 from PSC and returned P232,656,372. As for the cauldron, Suzara said no government funds were used to build it and on file are documents to support his contention.

“The auditors issued an unqualified opinion, meaning financial statements were presented fairly, in all material respects, the assets, liabilities and fund balance of PHISGOC,” said Suzara. “The financial statements have been ready since 2022. PHISGOC was a multi-agency, multi-department organization whose main purpose was for a successful hosting by the Philippines and that the country’s athletes emerge as overall champions. We achieved both and the entire country rejoiced.”