The financial books of the 30th Southeast Asian Games have been front and center of the upcoming Philippine Olympic Committee elections.
Clint Aranas and six members of the POC board filed a lawsuit against the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee for still not submitting the financial report of the games, which ended December last year.
Besides Aranas, the complainants included POC chairman Steve Hontiveros; first vice president Jose Romasanta; second vice president Jeff Tamayo; treasurer Julian Camacho; auditor Jonne Go; and board member Robert Mananquil.
POC President Bambol Tolentino explained that they are not keeping it nor are they grandstanding.
It’s just a case of them just balancing and closing the books.
“Of course we are complying. Tapos na nga ‘yung final technical report na book-binded. That’s part of hosting the SEA Games. Hindi ‘yun pa-drama lang na may report na ganun,” said the honorable congressman from Tagaytay during the PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold PH, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Ang last part na is the financial.”
Tolentino cited Malaysia, the host of the 2017 SEA Games.
It was just this year that Malaysia was able to the SEA Games council its full report — a full three years after it hosted the biennial meet.
And for the amiable politician, they are working to properly and formally close the books on a successful hosting.
“We are ready. Hindi naman namin tinatago ‘yun. Darating ‘yan very soon and that will be the closure of the SEA Games.”
