Guardo: Philsoc to blame for Cebu mess

The Cebu Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Cebusoc) hit back at Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco for his criticisms against the organizers of one of the SEA Games satellite venues.

"There’s no one to blame but himself for this issue," said Cebusoc chair Jonathan Guardo in a telephone interview, referring to the former Tarlac congressman.

Guardo was reacting to Cojuangco’s speech in the PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Awards Night where he censured the Cebusoc for complaining incessantly during the staging of the biennial event.

Cojuangco said the Cebusoc has allegedly received P9.8 million from the Philsoc aside from the P10 million it earlier drew from the national government.

But Guardo clarified that they received only P8 million from the Philsoc, or P1.8 million short of what Philsoc was supposed to give Cebusoc.

The shortfall, according to Guardo, only put the Cebusoc in a bind since they still owe the caterers and hotels, which have threatened to sue them.

This also led to the dismissal of Guardo as chair of Cebu Sports Commission.

"I was fired because of this issue even though the root of the problem is the Philsoc," said Guardo.