By GENALYN KABILING
Heads will roll if the investigation proves allegations of corruption and incompetence in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Malacañang assured the public yesterday.
As organizational lapses have marred the regional sports tournament, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said any person involved in irregularity would be held accountable.
President Duterte had earlier expressed dismay with the reported blunders in the country’s hosting of the SEAG and immediately ordered an investigation into these.
“Alam mo si Presidente, kausap ko siya kagabi, hindi siya masaya sa mga naririnig niya kaya sabi niya, kailangan ayusin nila ‘yung ginagawa nila para hindi tayo mapapahiya sa ibang bansa. Sabi niya, mananagot yung mga may kasalanan kung meron man,” Panelo said.
Asked if heads will roll over the SEAG mess, Panelo said: “Oo, siyempre accountable ‘yung mga tao diyan kung meron nga kaya kailangang paimbestigahan.”
He admitted that the President wanted to find out if the allegations of corruption and incompetence in handling the hosting of the SEAG were true.
“Pinapaimbestigahan pa rin ni Pangulo kung anuman ang mga irregularidad at mga incompetence o corruption na nababalita sa diyaryo kaya nga pinapa-validate,” he said.
“Iimbestigahan muna natin kung totoo o hindi. Kung totoo, syempre may mananagot,” he added.
The country’s hosting of the SEAG has been marred by logistical complaints such as poor hotel, transport, and food accommodations to the athletes. Prior to these lapses, the organizing committee led by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has been criticized for the high-priced cauldron that will carry the SEAG.
Panelo acknowledged that the logistical problems could have been avoided if the organizers prepared contingency measures. “Alam mo ‘yung mga reklamo ng delay, ‘yung mga transport, lahat naman ‘yun pwedeng gawan ng paraan,” he said.
Asked if the probe will be initiated after the games, Panelo said: “Oo. Kung ano na ‘yung naplano, ano na ‘yung programa, ituloy-tuloy natin.”
“Pero ganoon pa man, eh lahat na marinig natin na irregularidad, anomaly, iniimbestigahan natin. Vina-validate natin kung totoo o hindi,” he added.
On reports that athletes were served “kikiam” for breakfast, Panelo said authorities have already clarified that they were actually given chicken sausage.
“Mukhang hindi naman daw totoo ang mga balita, gaya daw ‘yung pagkain ng kikiam, hindi daw totoo ‘yun. Sausage naman daw ang pinakain,” he said.
