Palace to Cayetano: Explain P50-M SEA Games cauldron

MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday said it will ask House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to explain the questionable PHP50-million budget for the construction and design of a stadium cauldron for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed confidence that Cayetano, as head of the Philippine SEA Games Organizational Committee Foundation Inc. (Phisgoc) tasked to oversee the preparations and executions of the Philippines’ hosting of SEA Games this year, can defend the use of funds for the cauldron.

“Yeah, kasi hindi natin alam kung bakit ganoon (Yes, we will, because we don’t know the reason),” Panelo said in a phone patch interview when asked if the Palace will give Cayetano the chance to explain his side with regard to the cost of the cauldron.

“I’m sure, hindi naman gumagawa si Speaker Alan ng hindi tama pagdating diyan sa pera ng bayan (Speaker Alan will not do anything wrong when it comes to taxpayers’ money),” he added.

On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon questioned the spending of over PHP50 million for the design and construction of the stadium cauldron that will be used for the biennial meet that will be hosted by the Philippines from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and sponsor of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) budget, said the budget for the construction of the cauldron was lodged with the Philippine Sports Commission.

The cauldron was designed by the late Filipino architect Bobby Mañosa.

The design of the cauldron, which is three meters in diameter, costs PHP4.48 million, while the 50-meter high foundation amounted to PHP13.4 million. The total cost of construction was pegged at PHP32 million.

Drilon said he would ask the Senate to look into the construction of the cauldron, as well as the Commission on Audit to undertake a special audit on all the funds spent for the SEA Games.

Asked if the Palace agrees that spending PHP50 million for the cauldron was too much, Panelo said: “Hindi ko alam ‘yun (I do not know). I need to talk to Speaker Alan regarding that.”

“Well, I think Speaker Alan will be giving his side on this. We don’t even have to ask him. Since kini-criticize ni Frank Drilon iyan, magsa-salita ‘yun (Since Frank Drilon is criticizing it, he will speak up),’ he added.

Panelo said the Palace would listen first to the explanations of those involved in the construction of cauldron.

He, however, assured the public that Cayetano and other concerned individuals would be held accountable if it is proven that there are indeed irregularities in the construction and design of the stadium cauldron.

“Speaker Alan is accountable to all that relates to the SEA Games. Kung ano ang bulilyaso doon, syempre, dahil siya ang nagpapatakbo doon, syempre, accountable siya (He will be held accountable, if there are irregularities there, since he’s the one supervising it),” Panelo said.

“Meanwhile, we judge a person. Alam mo madaling mag-akusa (It’s easy to accuse someone). It’s very easy to accuse. Tingnan muna natin kung ano ba ang puno’t dulo niyan (Let’s first know the basis),” he added.