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Thursday, January 19, 2006
Where Palace’s P10M went
By Linette C. Ramos & Aledel G. Cuizon
Sun.Star Staff Reporters
While they could not show their full liquidation reports yet, CebuSOC officials assured the public there was no diversion of the funds used in the hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Neither was the hotel, food and transportation expense charged repeatedly to different fund sources, Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (CebuSOC) Chairman Jonathan Guardo said yesterday.
Guardo said private donors also gave food and lent their vehicles to CebuSOC, but these were not enough for all the athletes and volunteers.
“Everything is accounted for. Some supplies were donated but we still had to buy more because the sponsorships were not substantial,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
Transparent
All in all, CebuSOC received P19.8 million for the holding of the biennial sports event last year, which Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants liquidated.
Although he has criticized Guardo for not being transparent, Osmeña said he is not accusing Guardo of pocketing the funds.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. That’s why I’ve been asking him to submit a report already but he refuses to give us a copy, and that’s what makes me suspicious,” said the mayor.
90% explained
Of the P10 million CebuSOC got from Malacañang through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Guardo said P4 million went to the opening ceremonies and another P4 million was spent for the repair of the different sports venues.
Marketing and promotions expenses ate up P1 million of the funds, while another P1 million was used for operational expenses, he added.
They have already liquidated 90 percent of the PSC funds, a report of which was already sent to PSC Manila, said Guardo.
Guardo could not provide a copy of their liquidation report yet since he is still in China for a business trip.
The reports, he said, are with CebuSOC member Cheryl Ouano.
Ouano also could not furnish Sun.Star Cebu a copy of the report since she was still attending to her child who was confined in a hospital.
As for the P9.8 million funds from the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PhilSOC), 70 percent of the P9.8 million was already liquidated, Guardo said.
Ouano, also Mandaue City sports commissioner, said CebuSOC needs to liquidate some P831,000 more to fully account for the P10 million.
‘Let’s move on’
Liquidation reports were sent on a staggered basis since October and a consolidated report was even sent recently to the Manila.
Ouano yesterday expressed disappointment at the turn of events after Cebu’s successful hosting of the Sea Games last year.
“Humana ni. Let’s move forward. Let us focus on more important events such as the Asean summit,” she said.
The SEA Games were held in different venues in Luzon, Bacolod and the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Danao from Nov. 25 to Dec. 5 last year.
The judo and karatedo events were held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
In an earlier interview, Ouano said that as far as Mandaue is concerned, payments for the accommodations of the athletes and officials have already been made.
Sponsors
Sponsors supplied water, energy drinks and shirts. Vans and buses were also provided to transport participants.
Some P1.2 million was spent for the accommodation of athletes and officials.
About P700,000 was also used to improve the facilities of the sports complex.
The PhilSOC funds, meanwhile, were used for the hotels and transportation of foreign athletes, as well as the volunteers’ food.
The P3-million assistance from the Cebu City Government was spent for the airfare and hotels of the Philippine team, which City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera already liquidated.
Despite his conflict with Guardo, Mayor Osmeña said his relationship with Sambag 1 Barangay Captain Jerry Guardo, Jonathan’s younger brother, has not soured.
On the contrary, he said, the barangay captain has repeatedly assured him of his barangay’s support.
“Our relationship is not affected because Jerry has never been part of this activity...and I can understand that two brothers can be very different. Jerry told me ‘Whatever differences you have with my brother, you have my full support.’ But to me it’s a non-issue, I’m not paranoid,” Osmeña said.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 19, 2006 issue)
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