PSC: SEAG hosting to push through

MANILA,Philippines — The Games must go on.

This was the assurance given by the country’s top sports officials yesterday amid a legal battle involving organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian Games and Atos, a French information technology service provider.

“Our hosting of the SEA Games will push through,” Philippine Sports Commission chairman and Team Philippines chef-de-mission William Ramirez told The STAR exactly a month before the Games’ formal opening.

“Nothing can stop us from hosting the SEA Games,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham Tolentino in a separate interview.

Atos, which was founded in 1988 and has provided its expertise to major sports events like the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games, has questioned the legality of a bidding process that was called last August for the biennial event’s technical services.

Atos claimed that the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) headed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has given the French consulting firm the green light to work on the SEAG Information Management Systems since last January.

Atos also claimed it has spent around $3 million for its services, from January to August, for the SEA Games scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 – from the accreditation system of more than 12,000 athletes and officials, and management services.

Philippine social news network Rappler broke the news yesterday that Atos filed a TRO (temporary restraining order) against PHISGOC, PSC and POC last Oct. 14.  Through its lawyer, Atos said it can no longer comment on the matter.

PHISGOC spokesperson Atty. Jarie Osias, said: “The matter is currently subject of a pending court case. Our legal counsel advised us that we can’t comment any further, except that there is No TRO or Injunction by the Court to date, which means there is no legal obstacle for the SEA Games Information Management Systems to proceed as scheduled.”

PHISGOC said it is ready to defend the August 2019 bidding, which was held in compliance with government procurement rules.

“Given that the reputation of the Philippines is at stake in hosting the 30th SEA Games and that the government strictly followed the procurement rules, we are prepared to defend this monumental event against those who believe they are above the law or exempt from legal requirements,” Osias said.

Ramirez, who heads the government’s funding arm in sports, is confident that the court case will not prevent the Philippines from hosting the SEA Games for the fourth time after 1981, 1991 and 2005.

“Atos has its claims amounting to $3 million but let the court decide on the merits of the case. Then if there are any shortcomings then let them be complied with,” said Ramirez, who was surprised why the PSC was included in the TRO when it was not a signatory to the deal.

“It may disturb the preparations but not the entire procedure. This matter can be handled,” he said.

Tolentino, who was elected POC president last July, is not pushing the panic button.

“Tuloy ito (It’s on). What’s the worst-case scenario? I don’t know. But this will not stop us from hosting the SEA Games,” he said.

– With report from Olmin Leyba