Palace wants probe on alleged anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang wants agencies to probe the alleged irregularities tied to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Foundation as it confirmed that President Duterte prefers the government to handle the preparations for the regional athletic event.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said agencies should look into the alleged anomalies attributed to the foundation even without the President’s directive.

“He didn’t mention that. But as a matter of standard procedure when there is corruption, supposed to be the agencies concerned in the investigation will have to delve into that without being asked by the President,” Panelo told reporters in a press briefing.

PHISGOC Foundation was created to organize the SEA Games but the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) does not recognize it. The foundation has been accused of entering into questionable deals including the purchase of allegedly overpriced uniforms and socks. Members of the POC board have questioned the establishment of PHISGOC Foundation, saying they only permitted the creation of PHISGOC, not the PHISGOC Foundation.

PHISGOC Foundation chairman and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Cayetano, a key political ally of Duterte, previously denied that there are irregularities in the preparations for this year’s SEA Games. He has maintained that PHISGOC was incorporated and registered to give it a legal entity and to enable it so sign contracts with sponsors and venues.