Duterte apologizes for SEAG snafus

MANILA, Philippines — Even as glitches in the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games abated, President Duterte apologized last night to the foreign participants for snafus and reiterated that there would be accountability, even if his political allies are hit.

“I am apologizing for the country,” Duterte said as he told the foreigners that his government is “not happy” with the snafus.

Asked if the probe he has promised after the SEA Games would not spare even his allies, he replied, “If it causes mne and my political allies to fall, then so be it.”

Following reports about the snafus, he said the military should be given a greater role next time in organizing international events like sports fests.

He appealed for calm while the nation struggles to recover from embarrassment from initial blunders in its hosting of the SEAG, which opens today.

“Had I known, I will insist the military handles, the planners of the military, not the soldiers,” Duterter told CNN Philippines.

In an interview at Malacañang, Duterte called on the public to stop trading unfounded criticisms regarding the controversies hounding the regional sports meet. Around P6.5 billion from the 2019 national budget was poured into the SEAG organizing committee to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the biennial meet.

“Let us investigate, as a very reasonable man, which I am calling everybody a man, do not create a firestorm now because we are in the thick of preparations. Let us investigate after, I assure you we will investigate,” the President said.

“To me personally, because allotted money poured into this activity now, and I supposed you can run things smoothly, now may mga palpak (there are blunders),” he said.

The President also said he wanted certified public accountants and lawyers to be part of the committee that would investigate possible lapses committed by SEAG organizers.

“They (auditors) will be connected with (the group) and some lawyers because they have the knowhow,” the President said.

Duterte stressed Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano would have to explain irregularities in the SEAG preparations, but voiced belief the House leader had never been into corrupt activities. Cayetano heads the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).

“He has to answer but I do not think that corruption… I am sure that Cayetano is not involved in corruption,” Duterte added.

He said he also wanted Philippine Sports Commission and PHISGOC officials to be made answerable “for lack of foresight.”

“Yan mga yan, mahahagip ng military yan (Those things, the military can deal with them),” he said. 

Facing investigation after SEAG, Cayetano yesterday vowed to name four groups that he claimed are sabotaging the sports event.

“After the Games, we will reveal these groups, we have traced four that are really intentionally sabotaging the event,” he told reporters.

Cayetano said that although his panel is responsible for some mishaps, “a lot are the result of miscommunication or are fake news.”

He said he believes the motive of the four groups is “political.”

“My appeal to them is, you can hate the Duterte administration, you can hate Alan Cayetano, but don’t hate your own country,” he said.

He pointed out that it is the nation that is hurt by fake news about the Games.

He reiterated that there is an ongoing smear campaign in social media against the country’s hosting of the biennial sports competition.

“Even in the internet, you could see that money is flowing because they are boosting the sites. There is an insinuation to the Games participants that, ‘we’ll take care of you, could you attack this?’ It’s clear there is an operation,” he said. 

 ‘Black eyed’

While massive criticisms may have given him an imaginary “black eye,” Cayetano said he is repaying his detractors by bringing in American hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas to the SEAG for the entertainment of athletes and audience.

Cayetano confirmed that the popular band led by Filipino-American singer Allan Pineda Lindo will be performing in the Games’ closing ceremony on Dec. 11.

“Since we already sustained a black eye (from attacks on SEAG hosting), we will bring the Black Eyed Peas here.... That would be the highlight of our closing ceremony,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Pineda, who signed a contract with PHISGOC last August, said he is proud to perform at the SEAGa and will bring his band with him.

“I’m proud to be Pinoy and I wanna show our talent to the world. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. This only happens every 20 years,” he said.

“Black Eyed Peas will be here,” he announced, revealing that their group has started preparing for the event.

Pineda also expressed support for Filipino athletes participating in the games.

“Filipinos are known in sporting competition. I know you’ll do well. You got my support,” he added.

Organizers, however, clarified that former lead vocalist Fergie will not join the band at the event.

It was reported that the band will be paid P26.5 million for a 12-minute performance at the closing ceremonies of the SEAG at New Clark City in Tarlac.

The amount is about a third of the P73.251-million budget allocated by PHISGOC for talent fees of top artists and other performers in the opening and closing ceremonies of the biennial event.

The biggest chunk of the budget or P44.185 million was lumped under “various talent fees and technical requirements outside of Project 6.”

Cayetano has defended the SEAG as extravagant, insisting it is something that would make Filipinos proud.