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.
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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.
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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
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