As polls loom, Juico calls for unity

Track and field chief Philip Ella Juico called for “a period of peace” that will allow sports officials to focus on the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country will host.

Juico’s plea on Tuesday, which came two days before the Philippine Olympic Committee holds a crucial extraordinary general assembly on Thursday, was in reference to the controversies hounding the sports community just over four months before the country hosts the SEA Games.

“The most immediate concern is to ensure the success of the SEA Games,” Juico told the Inquirer.

The POC is currently facing a leadership vacuum, which the meeting on Thursday hopes to address. Apart from that, Malacañang has stripped the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation of its mandate to run the biennial meet.

“We need a period of peace and stability within the next six months,” said Juico.

Meanwhile, Malacañang cleared Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano of alleged corruption as Phisgoc Foundation chair.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo added that President Duterte still trusts Cayetano, who was endorsed as House Speaker.

Earlier on Monday, the Palace said corruption allegations in the hosting of the 30th SEA Games may have prompted Mr.  Duterte to task the government to host the games. —WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE M. AURELIO