Ombudsman starts Sea Games investigation
Credit to Author: Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino, TMT| Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2019 16:13:43 +0000
The Office of the Ombudsman has started its investigation of alleged corruption in connection with the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
“I have just created a panel to conduct fact-finding investigation…’pag may nakitang ebidensya (if there is evidence) then we will be forced to file a case against those officials involved,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said in an interview on Monday.
“Nagsisimula na sila (They are starting),” he said, referring to the fact-finding panel.
The seven-man panel will investigate all agencies that had a hand in the hosting of the biennial event, including the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc).
“Hindi tayo pwedeng maging selective sa ating (We will not be selective in our) investigation. We have to see kung anong (the) participation ng bawat (of each) official involved in the Southeast Asian Games,” Martires said.
The ombudsman said the panel has the discretion on how to conduct its investigation. He expressed confidence that the probe would be completed this month.
But he admitted that if the panel would have difficulty gathering documents, its investigation might take three months.
In a statement posted on Facebook, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Phisgoc chairman, welcomed the probe. He also maintained that there was no anomaly.
“We welcome this as an opportunity to put to rest all the questions so that we may move forward in celebrating the success of our athletes and honoring the sacrifices of our workforce and volunteers,” Cayetano said.
“We will fully support all investigations, and as I said before, I am ordering full transparency, audits and opening of all books,” he said. “Thousands of Filipinos worked hard and faithfully to make the Games the success that it is. Wala itong anomalya (There is no anomaly).”