PSC also files charges vs Cebu SEA organizers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday filed yet another case stemming from the country’s hosting of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, and this time it’s against Cebusoc (Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee) that was headed by businessman Jonathan Guardo.

Guardo, as chairman of Cebusoc, was charged in violation of Article 217, in relation to Article 222 of the Revised Penal Code for malversation of public funds.

The government shelled out close to P300 million for the country’s hosting of the biennial event with P10 million going to Cebusoc, P50 million to Basoc (Bacolod SEA Games Organizing Committee) and the rest to Philsoc (Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee).

The PSC had already filed a plunder case against Basoc head Monico Puentevella, who happens to be the chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, for failure to liquidate the P50 million in government assistance.

The PSC said Philsoc has yet to liquidate more than P70 million and is mulling a case similar to the one filed against those representing Bacolod and Cebu, which served as satellite venues of the 2005 SEA Games.

Atty. Paul Vega, head of the PSC’s legal affairs office, filed the case on behalf of the government sports agency before the Manila Prosecutors Office.

In its affidavit, the PSC said Guardo “willfully and criminally misappropriated, misused or committed acts of malversation of the public funds in the amount of P10 million... thereby causing damage and prejudice to the government.

The P10 million was supposed to be spent on infrastructure and repairs, but Cebusoc instead used them for operations.

“The reason we made a bid for the SEA Games hosting is that we (Cebu) already had the facilities. So there was no need to make repairs or build infrastructure,” Guardo said yesterday.

“At any rate, that amount (P10 million) would be too small for repairs and infrastructure. We will explain to the COA (Commission on Audit). I’m sure they will understand that the money was spent for the SEA Games which was very successful,” he added.

Cebu City hosted dancesport, pencak silat while Mandaue City staged karatedo and judo, and Danao City the mountain bike competitions. – Abac Cordero