Faces of the News: Ramon Suzara

ILLUSTRATION BY RENE ELEVERA

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chief operating officer Ramon Suzara has called for more uplifting stories to help Filipino athletes focus on their respective bids in the biennial multisport event.

“I’m appealing to all of you to put a positive note on what we have done,” he said at a press conference three days before Saturday’s grand opening at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Suzara also slammed the media for what he felt was selective reporting on the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The Phisgoc initially planned to replace Suzara in September but later decided to keep him as the point man for the SEA Games.

The executive is no stranger to scrutiny as he was the target of a February 2019 complaint lodged by Philippine Super Liga, a volleyball league he once led as president, after his alleged misuse of its funds. Taguig City prosecutors dismissed the case in July.