Solons must do share for SEAG success

Jose "Peping" Cojuangco yesterday challenged lawmakers to focus some of their precious attention on helping ensure the country’s successful hosting of the 23rd SEA Games on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

The Philippine Olympic Committee president and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee vice chairman hurled the challenge during a lively Senate hearing on the forthcoming SEA Games.

Sen. Richard Gordon criticized Philsoc officials, including chairman Roberto Pagdanganan, for what seems to be a poor awareness campaign for the event the country is hosting only for the third time.

"Mabuti pa yung laban ni Manny Pacquiao merong ugong. I don’t feel the ugong. I don’t feel the vibrations considering that we are hosting the Sea Games," complained Gordon.

Gordon was referering to Pacquiao’s million-dollar fight against Mexico’s Eric Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 19. He feels that Filipinos are more engrossed on this rather than the SEA Games.

"It’s somebody else’s problem. It’s (Roberto) Pagdanganan’s problem. It’s (Peping) Cojuangco’s problem. And here it comes and it falls on our heads and it hits us on the face," said Gordon.

Refusing to be cowed, Cojuangco shot back.

"Gusto niyo bang umugong ito ng husto? Uugong agad ito kung mag-aanunsyo na kayo kung anong ibibigay ninyong tulong sa Sea Games," said Cojuangco, younger brother of former President Corazon C. Aquino.

"You are commenting on the fact that wala pang ugong. We see different things. We are working on a zero budget. There are so many volunteers working on their own putting up an organization," the POC chief added.

"That is a philosophical statement. We are here to find out what you need and where we can assist," was Gordon’s answer.

Then everything seemed to have cooled off. Gordon then left the hearing to attend another one. The hearing was later adjourned and a second was scheduled soon.

Also gracing the hearing was Philippine Sports Commission officer-in-charge William Ramirez.

Philsoc needs close to P1 billion to organize and run the Games but is having difficulty raising the money from private sponsors. A reported pullout of Malaysia marketing firm Inter Sports is not helping the cause.