Records nullified due to faulty track markings: ‘Justice’ sought for Palaro athletes

CEBU, Philippines —  A Cebu City Council legislator has asked for “justice” for 11 Palarong Pambansa 2024 athletes whose records were nullified because of the error in the marking of the 400-meter distance of the Cebu City Sport Center track oval.

This, as the City Council requested asking for copy of the result in the investigation into the matter and for a Palarong Pambansa 2024 budget breakdown.

This was after City Councilor Mary Ann del los Santos delivered a privilege speech during their regular session last Wednesday, when she expressed that she wants the absence of accountability rectified.

This, while the council congratulated the various Palarong Pambansa 2024 committees that did a good job in making Cebu City’s hosting of the annual national games a success.

In her speech, de los Santos said that while the successful hosting is worth celebrating, there is one mishap that must be addressed, that gaps and errors must be identified as the city is sure to host more sporting events in the future.

She also asked that the office of Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia provide the result of the investigation on the “critical error” that she said was a source of “"embarrassment" for the city of Cebu.

Because of the error, wherein the measurement of the 400-meter distance lacked at least half a meter, 11 records of the Palaro were not recognized, impacting 19 athletes from different regions.

"Yet no one has apologized for the critical error. Why has no one taken ownership of this mistake and apologized? If we give credit where credit is due, shouldn't we also ask where the backstops, where the responsibility and accountability are seen?" she said.

De los Santos, who identified herself as an athlete who participated in numerous marathon competitions in her younger years, said that she shared a deep connection to the dedication of her competitors.

"I am genuinely disheartened by an oversight that led to the non-recognition of the record-breaking performance at this alarming Pambansa," she said.

De los Santos further said that this is a personal sentiment expressed as an individual and not as a representative of the city.

"I extend a heartfelt apology to all the athletes and coaches affected by this situation," she said.

She added that what she has done is a “gesture of empathy and acknowledgement” that has been absent and something that she believes is rightfully owed to the athletes and coaches.

Furthermore, de Los Santos demanded answers as to whom the responsibility of the nullification of the records lies. She said the City must get to the bottom of the situation to get a clearer picture of whoever is responsible for the discrepancy in the marking.

She said this is not only to alleviate the embarrassment but also to ensure the future Palaro avoids the same fiasco.

She said the rehabilitation of the track oval is under the control and supervision of the Cebu City Government, including the bidding and the awarding of the project to the contractor, SBD Builders.

Delos Santos cited Rule 3, Section 14 in the implementing rules and guidelines in Republic Act, 10588, which states that “(t)he prospective host should have sports facilities which conform to international standards.”

“The sports facilities need not be complete at the time of inspection but the LGU should have the capability to completely build the required facilities two months before the scheduled Palarong Pambansa,” it added.

“We were promised late last year that the target completion date for the renovation was February 2024,” de los Santos said.

According to her, despite delays in the bidding process, the CCSC was closed last May 18, 2023, for renovations.

De los Santos also lamented that she noticed that the city’s momentum to host city-wide or national events such as the Sinulog and the Palarong Pambansa, has been inconsistent.

“We have not learned our lessons,” she said.

She also presented the situation of the track oval after Palarong Pambansa, which she claimed portions can be likened to asphalt and mud of the South Road Properties (SRP) used for the Sinulog venue. She attributed these factors to the curing time that has not been properly observed.

“Could the apparent rush to complete the oval track have restricted these experts’ ability to effectively implement necessary corrections?” she wondered.

Finally, de los Santos also said that the Palarong Pambansa hosting 2024 includes bringing justice to the athletes and their regions to ensure that in their future games, their records will be recognized without fail.

Aside from seeking accountability over what happened as a result of the track oval’s wrong measurements, the Council also asked City Budget Office to provide the body with the budget breakdown of the Palarong Pambansa 2024 expenses. (CEBU NEWS)