By Ellson Quismorio
Bad timing.
That's how Committee on Public Accounts and Anakalusugan Party-List Representative Mike Defensor described the criticisms of the estimated P50-million cauldron to be used at the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).
Anakalusugan Party-List Rep. Mike Defensor (Mike Defensor FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE PHOTO)
"It's bad timing, it's wrong for the country, it's wrong for our athletes," Defensor told reporters covering the House of Representatives.
"Ako nagtataka bakit nagiging isyu masyado to, itong cauldron na ito na iyong mga ibang bansa pa nga, we're talking of what, 2017 and 2015, ay mas mahal pa nga yung kanilang kaldero kaysa dito sa Pilipinas," he said.
(I’m puzzled that this cauldron has become a big issue, whereas other countries, we're talking of what, 2017 and 2015, their cauldrons were more expensive than the Philippines’.)
Recently, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said spending the amount on the cauldron was a case of "unnecessary extravagance."
A symbolic structure, a cauldron is lit during the start of international sports competitions. Traditionally, the flames aren't put out until the closing ceremonies of the event.
"Questioning the budget is fine but to say that it is extravagant or overpriced, I think it's wrong...The accusation is wrong," Defensor said, adding, "the cauldron is not only a cauldron per se but it represents and symbolizes our country and our nation."
According to him, Malaysia spent an equivalent of P85 million for its cauldron during the 2017 SEAG, while Singapore spent P62 million for the same purpose in 2015.
"There's already an accusation of malfeasance or that we're already spending beyond our means, which in fact as I've said, other countries have done that before, and they spent more," the Public Account panelist noted.
And then there's the effect of the issue on the morale of the Filipino athletes.
"Why are we doing this the midst of the SEA Games na tayo ang nagho-host (that we are hosting)? If you're an athlete from another nation, 'Uy may corruption pala. Uy may ganito pa lang issue sa bansa (You'll say, 'Oh there's corruption here. Oh there's this particular issue in the country).
"Hindi ba't kahihiyan din para sa Pilipinas yun? (Isn't that embarrassing for the Philippines also?) The timing should have been way way before, or after the SEA Games," Defensor said.
"Number two, medyo demoralizing on our athletes kasi baka isipin nila, ganito kalaki ang ginagastos pero I'm sure mayroong ibang may problema in terms of support and assistance (Number two, it's a bit demoralizing for our athletes because they will wonder why this amount is being spent when I'm sure some of them have problems in terms of support and assistance)," he added.
"I hope our athletes won't be subjected to further embarrassment," Defensor concluded.
The Philippines's hosting of the biennial SEAG will take place from November 30 to December 11.