ISANG seven-man panel ang binuo ng Ombudsman upang magsagawa ng fact-finding investigation kaugnay ng mga iregularidad umano sa pagsasagawa ng Southeast Asian Games sa bansa.
Sinabi ni Ombudsman Samuel Martires na hindi magiging selective ang isasagawang imbestigasyon.
Ikinatuwa naman Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman ng Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, ang imbestigasyon dahil magiging daan umano ito upang maitama ang mga maling balita na ginamit upang siraan ang hosting ng bansa ng SEAG.
“Two weeks ago, when the SEA Games was under attack by groups out to discredit the government with fake news reports of unpreparedness and corruption, I already announced that we not only welcome, but are ourselves calling for an investigation by the proper agencies at the right time to clear the air about these unfounded allegations,” ani Cayetano. “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.”
Ayon kay Cayetano kanyang ipinag-utos ang “full transparency, audits and opening of all books. Thousands of Filipinos worked hard and faithfully to make the Games the success that it is. Wala itong anomalya.”
Hindi umano siya nagdalawang isip sa pagtanggap sa tungkulin na organisahin ang SEAG kahit na alam niya na maaaring makasuhan siya rito.
“But I did not hesitate simply because I knew this is not about me. This is about representing the country, and I have never shied away from that. I took on the challenge just as every single volunteer took on theirs, and for the same reason – because we believe that it is about time we show the world what a unified Filipino nation is capable of doing.”
Sinabi ni Cayetano na dapat ding managot ang mga nagtangkang sumabotahe sa SEAG.
“As we are ready to meet all these accusations, I am also issuing fair warning to all those who plotted against the SEA Games and put politics over country; those who espoused and spread fake news and malicious lies. Personally I forgive you, but for the national interest there to accountability and a reckoning.”