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Monday, December 19, 2005
Jakosalem: Guardo must stay
COUNCILOR Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said he will do everything to keep Jonathan Guardo at his post as chief of the Cebu City Sports Commission.
This after Guardo said he will quit his post after four years as sports chief of Cebu City, saying he’s had enough with the “unfounded criticisms” against him.
Guardo said recent statements of mayor Tomas Osmeña blaming him for lavish spending and diverting of funds for the Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Cebusoc) have hurt him.
“I don’t want my contract renewed,” Guardo told Sun.Star Cebu. “There’s no more point to stay since they now question my capability to work as chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission. I don’t see a good (working) environment anymore after all that statements issued by Mayor Tom alleging me for the lavish spending during the SEA Games and diverting the baranggay sports funds (to the CebuSoc funds).”
Explain
Jakosalem, for his part, defended Guardo.
“The mayor had been informed about it (Cebusoc funding),” Jakosalem said. “For the record, Cebu City did not spend a single centavo during the Seag opening and Jonathan did not divert barangay sports funds to the Cebusoc coffers because he had no power to do that.”
Jakosalem, the City Council’s Professional Games, Sports and Amusements chairman, said he will explain to the mayor what had happened once he gets all the documents.
“I am just waiting for the accounting from (Councilor) Joy Pesquera so that I can explain to the mayor how and where did the funds go. For the P3 million contribution of Cebu City, it never went to Cebusoc as it was paid directly to the hotels, the caterers and other obligations,” Jakosalem said.
Both sports leaders doubted politics is behind the mess.
Guardo is currently in Manila trying to collect the remaining P7 million promised by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.
Personal money
“I even had to use my personal money and here I am accused and criticized. It’s very unfair,” Guardo said.
Last Wednesday, Jakosalem withdrew his resolution for the Guardo’s renewal as sports consultant to the Mayor because he is in Manila. Consultants need to appear during the session for their renewal.
“Jonathan has proven through the years that he is the most capable person to handle the CCSC,” said Jakosalem. “He has helped a lot of projects, he made a lot of sacrifices, and most of it were never publicized. I will convince him to stay. And I don’t believe that Jonathan will give up.”
Guardo said he will continue to promote sports even after he quits from his post.
“ I’ll still support sporting events as I have always done. It’s not necessary that I am holding any government position. Mas maayo pa na kay wa gyud manghilabot sa atong pagtabang (It’s better this way),” Guardo said. (RCM)
(December 19, 2005 issue)
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