Senator Go bats for 'bayanihan' and calls for unity
Published Nov 27, 2019 12:00 am
By Mario Casayuran and Genalyn Kabiling
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday called on Filipinos to uphold the “bayanihan” spirit following several hiccups or “mistakes” by organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (MALACAÑANG PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Many want the SEA Games to fail. It is sad that we have some countrymen who want to clap their hands for the wrong reasons. They are clapping because they want us to fail. What we need are cheers for our athletes and to support them,” said Go.
Go, chairman of the Senate Sports committee, said that he and President Duterte are constantly monitoring the issues raised in the first few days of the biennial regional multi-sport event.
“Kami ni Pangulo, nakatutok kami dito (The President and I focus our attention on the SEA Games),” Go said.
Go urged all government agencies to work double time and reminded everyone that they will be answerable to, not only the President, but most especially to the Filipino people.
“In fairness to Speaker (Alan Peter S.) Cayetano, he is working double time. They are doing all the things needed to put them in order.
Nothing good will come out if we continue to blame one another,” he said.
Go, who also advocates for the development of the country’s grassroots and long-term sports program, said that it is normal to have hiccups when hosting events.
He emphasized that instead of pointing fingers, Go urged Filipinos to unite and cooperate for the sports event to become a success.
Go urged everyone to help in ensuring the success of the country’s hosting, adding that the whole Southeast Asia has its eyes on the country.
Filipinos should set aside political differences and participate in rallying support for the country’s competing athletes, he added.
“Let us agree to a ceasefire. Our officials must not fight one another. The attention is on us. Let us not allow the SEA Games to fail. All of us are the host,” he said.
Go asked the public to consider the negative impact of these criticisms to the morale of the athletes whose attention should be focused on their respective competitions.
The senator, a former Special Assistant to President Duterte, said that the President will attend the formal opening of the Games on November 30.
He said the President fully supports the event and the national athletes, saying that aside from the usual incentives athletes receive when they get a medal finish, the President may also consider providing additional separate incentives.
Highlighting the world-famous Filipino hospitality, Go said he and the President have always taken good care of their guests.
“President Duterte is a very good host and Filipinos are known for our hospitality,” Go said.
Heads will roll
As this developed, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said heads will roll if the investigation proves allegations of corruption and incompetence in the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the country.
As organizational lapses have marred the regional sports tournaments, Panelo said any person involved in irregularity would be held accountable.
President Duterte had earlier expressed dismay with the reported blunders in the country's hosting of the SEA Games and immediately ordered an investigation into the incident.
“You know, I talked to the President (Tuesday night). He was not happy with what he has heard so he said they must fix what they're doing so we won't lose face before other countries. He said those who committed wrongdoing will be held accountable,” Panelo said over government radio.
Asked if heads will roll over the SEA Games mess, Panelo said: “Yes. Those people are accountable so there must be an investigation.”
He admitted that the President wanted to find out if the allegations of corruption and incompetence in handling the hosting of the SEA Games were true.
“The President wants an investigation on the irregularities, incompetence or corruption reported in the papers. He wants them validated,” he said.
READ MORE: Duterte orders alleged SEAG blunders investigated; Palace vows to punish culprits, DILG favors class suspension for SEA Games
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (MALACAÑANG PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Many want the SEA Games to fail. It is sad that we have some countrymen who want to clap their hands for the wrong reasons. They are clapping because they want us to fail. What we need are cheers for our athletes and to support them,” said Go.
Go, chairman of the Senate Sports committee, said that he and President Duterte are constantly monitoring the issues raised in the first few days of the biennial regional multi-sport event.
“Kami ni Pangulo, nakatutok kami dito (The President and I focus our attention on the SEA Games),” Go said.
Go urged all government agencies to work double time and reminded everyone that they will be answerable to, not only the President, but most especially to the Filipino people.
“In fairness to Speaker (Alan Peter S.) Cayetano, he is working double time. They are doing all the things needed to put them in order.
Nothing good will come out if we continue to blame one another,” he said.
Go, who also advocates for the development of the country’s grassroots and long-term sports program, said that it is normal to have hiccups when hosting events.
He emphasized that instead of pointing fingers, Go urged Filipinos to unite and cooperate for the sports event to become a success.
Go urged everyone to help in ensuring the success of the country’s hosting, adding that the whole Southeast Asia has its eyes on the country.
Filipinos should set aside political differences and participate in rallying support for the country’s competing athletes, he added.
“Let us agree to a ceasefire. Our officials must not fight one another. The attention is on us. Let us not allow the SEA Games to fail. All of us are the host,” he said.
Go asked the public to consider the negative impact of these criticisms to the morale of the athletes whose attention should be focused on their respective competitions.
The senator, a former Special Assistant to President Duterte, said that the President will attend the formal opening of the Games on November 30.
He said the President fully supports the event and the national athletes, saying that aside from the usual incentives athletes receive when they get a medal finish, the President may also consider providing additional separate incentives.
Highlighting the world-famous Filipino hospitality, Go said he and the President have always taken good care of their guests.
“President Duterte is a very good host and Filipinos are known for our hospitality,” Go said.
Heads will roll
As this developed, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said heads will roll if the investigation proves allegations of corruption and incompetence in the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the country.
As organizational lapses have marred the regional sports tournaments, Panelo said any person involved in irregularity would be held accountable.
President Duterte had earlier expressed dismay with the reported blunders in the country's hosting of the SEA Games and immediately ordered an investigation into the incident.
“You know, I talked to the President (Tuesday night). He was not happy with what he has heard so he said they must fix what they're doing so we won't lose face before other countries. He said those who committed wrongdoing will be held accountable,” Panelo said over government radio.
Asked if heads will roll over the SEA Games mess, Panelo said: “Yes. Those people are accountable so there must be an investigation.”
He admitted that the President wanted to find out if the allegations of corruption and incompetence in handling the hosting of the SEA Games were true.
“The President wants an investigation on the irregularities, incompetence or corruption reported in the papers. He wants them validated,” he said.
READ MORE: Duterte orders alleged SEAG blunders investigated; Palace vows to punish culprits, DILG favors class suspension for SEA Games