PSC bares truth behind SEA Games cauldron

THE Philippine Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) was responsible for the controversial P55.92-million 30th SEA Games cauldron, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez said.

He said the PSC merely disbursed the budget upon Phisgoc's request.

PSC bared this in a press conference in Matina, Davao City Wednesday, November 20.

Ramirez said the amount was sourced from the P6-billion allocation from the national government for the country's hosting expenses through Phisgoc that was tasked to manage the conduct and overall organization of the Games. The P6 billion, however, was coursed through the PSC.

"Napitik mi aning cauldron nga murag kami nagpahimo, ang Phisgoc man. Dili mi responsbile anang cauldron, ang Phisgoc man nag transact ana (We were hit because of the cauldron as if we were the ones behind its design and construction, it was the Phisgoc. PSC is not responsible for the cauldron, Phisgoc made all the transactions for it)," he said.

He bared that Phisgoc requested for P55.92 million for the cauldron, which was designed by late national artist Francisco Mañosa, broken down as follows, P4.4 million for design, P13.44 million for construction of the cauldron’s foundation, P32 million for construction and installation of the cauldron and P6 million for wrist tags.

The PSC chief said this would have to be liquidated by Phisgoc and if the Commission on Audit (COA) disallows it then the Phisgoc will pay for it.

Ramirez said that during the Senate hearing Tuesday, November 19, Senator Franklin Drilon asked him if the cauldron passed the government's bidding requirements.

"I replied `I cannot answer that your honor'. Phisgoc has to answer that," Ramirez said.

However, since PSC disbursed the money, he said, "basin di kami nag abuso, maapil gihapon mi. Muuban mi sa COA mugukod sa Phisgoc (Even if we did not abuse the money, we would still be held liable. We would help COA run after Phisgoc)".

Ramirez added that he won't comment whether the cauldron cost was excessive but he quoted Senator Drilon who said that it was during the Senate hearing. But he said ultimately COA, which has the auditing power, has the say if indeed it was excessive.

Phisgoc is chaired by Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano who justified the cauldron as a "work of art".

"While some people see it as a cauldron, we see a monument. We see the athletes, we see the burning flames that represent hope and the fighting spirit. We think it is just appropriate," Cayetano told the Senate Tuesday, November 19.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in a media interview Tuesday night, also defended the cauldron, saying it was the product of the mind of a national artist.

Meanwhile, Ramirez also belied claims that the cauldron cost is bigger than the budget for athletes' training preparations for SEA Games, saying that PSC spent over P1 billion so far for the athletes' exposure and training and P200 million for equipment.

The P5,000 monthly meal allowance for national athletes, according to him, was also raised to P25,000. The athletes were also provided with dormitories and transportation.

PSC is confident it can liquidate the P974 million budget intended for accommodation, games transport provider, catering, logistics and supplies while the P522 million for sport equipment, which had undergone bidding, will be liquidated by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The budget for the rehabilitation of government facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports Complex, Baguio Training Center, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Ninoy Aquino Gym and Philsports Arena was sourced from PSC's own budget with subsidy from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

"When the organization of the SEA Games was given to Phisgoc, Phisgoc was then looking for venues and we volunteered our facilities. But the rehabilitation of these facilities were not only meant for the SEA Games, we were looking beyond it. However, all these will be ready for the Games except for the squash facility as the equipment will have to be procured in Germany," Ramirez said.

The 30th SEA Games is slated November 30 to December 11 but pre-opening games are scheduled for November 24.