House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday hit back at detractors behind the series of criticisms over the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games and vowed to face them as soon as the competitions are over.
In an interview following his speech at the 44th anniversary of the Philippine National Prayer Breakfast, Cayetano lamented the flood of alleged fake news aimed at discrediting him and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee which he heads.
Cayetano will ignore the protection granted under inter-parliamentary courtesy, saying that he is prepared to face a Senate inquiry into the SEAG funding controversies but after Dec. 12 when the regional competition is over.
He also disclosed that on that date, he will send a letter to the Commission on Audit to conduct an independent special audit of all government funds spent for the SEAG.
The House leader said President Duterte has sent word for him to continue and “do your job.”
Cayetano also claimed he has information that the campaign to discredit the country’s handling of the SEAG is backed by an enormous amount of money. “Even ilan sa mga media, umamin na sa amin na may umaagos na pera para siraan iyong SEA Games,” he said.
This is clearly manifested by media’s reporting of the “kikiam” incident which was later clarified by the Century Park Hotel management as untrue.
Cayetano vowed to pursue criminal charges against persons behind the SEAG smear drive for violation of libel and cyber libel laws. (Ben Rosario)