Cayetano eyes minor shake-up in Phisgoc as 2019 SEA Games nears
MANILA, Philippines – A minor shake-up of the leadership roles at the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation, Inc. may be possible as the 2019 SEA Games nears, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Tuesday.
Cayetano, who is also Phisgoc’s chair, said this is due to the transition of the organizing groups from planning to actual operation.
“Maaaring magkaroon ng kaunting reassignment sa role, because natatapos na ‘yong period ng planning at pagpupundar ng foundation, nandun na tayo sa day-to-day operations,” he told reporters at the House of Representatives.
“Wala namang major announcement except that we are thinking of putting up, we were advised na habang palapit, kailangan mo ng crisis or executive committee para sa day-to-day problems,” he added.
The Philippines is set to return as SEA Games hosts this year, with the tilt starting on November 31 and set to end by December 11. Issues related to corruption and lack of preparation however, have plagued the organizing teams.
READ: Glacier-like pace of SEA Games organizing continues
READ: Palace wants Cayetano’s PHISGOC Foundation probed over corruption charges
Officials meanwhile have clarified that there is enough time, as corruption allegations are denied. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he was convinced that there is no corruption within the foundation, although a probe will still be conducted.
READ: Duterte seen barring Cayetano’s PHISGOC from organizing SEA Games
READ: Cayetano-led Phisgoc Foundation stays as 2019 SEA Games organizer
READ: Palace convinced no corruption in Phisgoc
Cayetano clarified that the possible reshuffle has nothing to do with the issues, but rather, was because of what the organizing committee needs at the present stage.
“We’re just reassessing the role of every single person, especially given na ‘yong iba nating sports leaders may commitment abroad, katulad ni Mr. (Ramon) Suzara, ‘yong sa Olympics,” he said.
“But si Chairman Butch (Ramirez) naka-pako na siya sa sports, nakatutok na siya doon, and we’re thinking of elevating two or three others who have been doing hardwork, to positions na pwedeng sila ang magmamartilyo doon sa kailangang gawin in the next two months,” he added. /muf
READ: DPWH gets down to work for SEAG
