De Lima asks Filipinos for sobriety amid SEA Games hosting mess

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila de Lima has called for sobriety among Filipinos to ensure the country’s successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

De Lima made the call amid controversies surrounding the country’s preparation for the sporting event which will formally open on Saturday, November 30.

While it may be difficult, De Lima said the public should try to separate “the government’s rapaciousness and incompetence” from hosting the event as a country while the games are being held.

The senator said Filipinos should instead pray and support the success of the SEA Games while the event is ongoing.

“Despite their corruption, the brightest stars of the Philippine political universe still cannot take away from us our spirit as a nation and our graciousness as hosts,” De Lima said in a statement.

“Huwag muna nating intindihin, sa ngayon, ang mga mandarambong at mga walang kwentang opisyales ni [President Rodrigo] Duterte na nagpataba na ng kanilang mga pitaka gamit ang okasyon na ito. Wala na tayong magagawa pa sa kahihiyan nila. Pero maaari pa nating maisalba ang kahihiyan natin bilang mga Pilipino,” she added.

(Let us not focus on the plunderers and worthless officials of Duterte who are having their wallets fattened by this occasion. We cannot do anything with their shameful acts. But we can still save our pride as Filipinos.)

De Lima said athletes and their teams, volunteers, and Filipinos who are ensuring the good experience of foreign delegates should work together for the event’s success.

“Kayo ang mga bayani na magtutulak para ang kaganapang ito ay maging tanyag at kaakit-akit na makita sa ating rehiyon at sa buong mundo,” De Lima said.

(You are the heroes who are pushing for this event to be attractive to the eyes of our region and the whole world.)

But once the SEA Games is over, De Lima insisted that the “financing and organization” of the 2019 SEA Games should be subjected to a “microscopic” probe.

Among the issues that the senator raised include the “rigmarole capitalization transaction” involving the Bases Conversion Development Authority, MTD Capital Berhad of Malaysia, and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

De Lima also mentioned the controversial “contracting the design of the [G]olden Kaldero to an apparently bedridden and dying national artist.”

Foreign and local delegates reported inconveniences days before the opening of the sporting event.

Issues ranged from accommodation, transport, food, and unfinished facilities.

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc., Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano has apologized for the inconveniences experienced by the delegates.

Edited by MUF