PHISGOC out as SEAG organizer?

MANILA, Philippines — The alleged irregularities attributed to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Foundation may have prompted President Duterte to bar the group from organizing this year’s Southeast Asian Games, Malacañang said yesterday.

Previous reports said PHISGOC Foundation has been tagged in supposedly questionable deals, and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has also refused to recognize the foundation as organizer of the biennial multi-sport event.

PHISGOC Foundation chairman Alan Cayetano previously denied that there were questionable deals in the Philippines’ hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. He has also maintained that the creation of an organizing committee in hosting the event is in line with the Olympic charter.

Last week, President Duterte was quoted as saying that he would not let PHISGOC Foundation organize the SEA Games hosting because the activity should be handled by the government.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo could not confirm reports that Duterte had disallowed PHISGOC Foundation to organize the SEA Games but claimed the allegations against the group may have prodded the President to make such decision.

“Maybe that’s the reason why he wants the government to handle it, most likely,” Panelo said when asked whether Duterte has been informed about the supposed anomalies attributed to the foundation.

Panelo said the President may soon issue an executive order that would formally designate the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission as organizers of the SEA Games.

“Since he made that statement, then that is forthcoming. Iyon ang posisyon niya, ayaw niya sa foundation eh (That is his position, he does not like the foundation),” the presidential spokesman said.

Last May, Cayetano assured Duterte that the construction projects related to the Philippines’ hosting of the regional athletic event would be finished in August.

The Philippines will host 56 sports and 528 events to more than 10,000 athletes and more than 1,000 international and local media from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10.

Last January, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular no. 56 ordering agencies to support the organizers of the SEA Games to ensure the Philippines’ successful hosting of the regional sports event this year.