By Billy Begas
The government did not spend funds for the construction of the P50 million cauldron that was used during the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the private sector funded the cauldron, which was labeled as “overpriced” and “extravagant” by critics.
“People will be surprised because the government didn’t spend a single cent on it. Because the private sector paid for it,” Cayetano said in a television interview.
Cayetano was the chairperson of the Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), which managed the preparation of the 2019 SEA Games.
The cauldron was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, who is regarded as one of the most influential Filipino architects of the 20th century.
“I could have come up with a more humble one. Pero debut natin ito sa buong mundo. Pinapakita natin na y’ung facilities natin (ay) world-class,” said Cayetano adding that the cauldron was much cheaper compared to the ones used in the previous editions of the SEA Games.
Cayetano said that because of unfounded accusations several sponsors withdrew.
“Much more would have been paid by the private sector kung ‘di nagkaroon ng crab mentality at siniraan. Kasi marami kaming sponsors na umatras,” he added.
He also denied profiting from the SEA Games.
“My life in politics has not been perfect but ni singko sa SEA Games, wala akong ginalaw,” he said.
More than 5,000 athletes from 11 countries participated in the 2019 SEA Games. Breaking its previous records, the Philippines emerged overall champion and secured a total of 387 medals, 149 of which were gold.
Olympic Council of Asia Vice President Wei Jizhong praised the organizers and President Rodrigo Duterte for the successful hosting of the SEA Games, saying the country is prepared to host larger sporting events.
