Pyrotechnics provider asks Guardo to pay for SEA Games display

The contractor of the pyrotechnic display during the opening ceremony of the 23rd South East Asean Games or SEA Games in Cebu City two years ago, has sent a letter to congressional aspirant Jonathan Guardo demanding for the payment of services rendered.

In his letter dated March 5 addressed to Guardo and copy furnished to Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Pyroworks president Brian A. Lim reminded the congressional aspirant of the unpaid P81,770.

Lim also attached in his letter the copy of the contract signed by him and Guardo on November 18, 2005 for the fireworks show as part of the opening ceremony of the 23rd SEA Games at the Cebu City Sports Center on November 25, 2005.

Guardo was the chairman of the Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (Cebu SOC) that is why he signed the contract with Lim.

"We have been assured that this account would be fully settled by the committee, but up to this time said account has remained unpaid and outstanding," Lim said.

But Guardo told The Freeman last night that it would be best that Lim will send his letter directly to the Philippine Sports Commission so it could be attended to immediately.

Guardo admitted that the amount due to Lim is only part of about P2 million unpaid bills, including the payment of the food caterer and other services used during the international event where Cebu City was one of the regional hosts.

"Ang tinuod gani nakagasto ko og mga mohapit usa ka milyon ka pesos gikan sa akong kaugalingong kwarta nga gibayad sa ubang bayranan sa SEA Games kay daghan man nga mipasalig nga motabang nga wala na mohatag," Guardo explained.

Guardo got the ire of Mayor Osmeña after he refused to give him an accounting of all donations and funds that he received for the SEA Games, including the list of his expenses.

Osmeña also did not renew the contract of Guardo as his sports consultant and as chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission.

This spat with the mayor reportedly triggered Guardo's bolting the camp of Osmeña and this was followed by his decision to run as congressman for the city's south district against Rep. Antonio Cuenco. - Rene U. Borromeo