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2019 SEA Games: Transactions were made with ‘utmost transparency,’ says official

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/07/14/20190719-sea-games.jpg"/><figcaption>Amid rocky preparations for the Southeast Asian Games later this year, sports officials are confident the national athletes can perform beyond expectations. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez on Friday denied the allegations that the country’s preparation for hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games has been tainted by corruption.“There is no truth to the allegation of corruption,” said Ramirez in a statement. “Yesterday, Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano, and myself sat down with Senator Bong Go and Executive-Secretary Salvador Medialdea to sort out issues being reported by news outfits in the past days.”Reports earlier this week surfaced that President Rodrigo Duterte is taking the embattled Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc., a private body that aimed to organize the 30th SEA Games, out of commission and will be subjected to investigation due to alleged corruption and other irregularities.Ramirez cleared that all transactions made regarding the buildup for the biennial meet are met with “utmost transparency”.“We assure the athletes and the general public that all decisions and transactions will be done with utmost transparency,” he said.“The PSC, through the guidance of the Department of Budget Management and assistance of the Procurement Service, shall work together to ensure that public funds are protected and that all disbursements or expenses follow existing government rules and laws.”A unity meeting to form a cohesive team for the country’s final push in the preparations of regional meet has been set.Ramirez, the chef de mission of Team Philippines, said all national sports associations that will participate in the coming Games and their athletes are invited during the gathering scheduled at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, July 24.The top brass of the Phisgoc and the PSC are also enjoined to attend the meeting to pledge their cooperation and all-out support to the entire organization of hosting the 11-nation sportsfest.Fifty-seven sports will be played during the November 30 to December 11 Games to be held in three main areas — Metro Manila; New Clark City in Capas town, Tarlac; and Subic.Ramirez has expressed high hopes that the meeting will encourage officials of the Phisgoc, POC and the PSC to move in one direction with 4 months to go before the biggest multi-sports event in the Asean region unfolds.Medialdea, Go and Cayetano, who also sits as chairman of Phisgoc, are expected to attend the gathering where at least 300 sports officials and athletes will be present.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez on Friday denied allegations that the country’s preparation for hosting the 30th SEA Games has been tainted by corruption.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez on Friday denied allegations that the country’s preparation for hosting the 30th SEA Games has been tainted by corruption.