Senator Bong Go delivered a privilege speech during the Senate’s regular session urging organizers of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games to “wake up” instead of apologizing for the logistical inefficiencies in the country’s hosting of the sporting event which reportedly inconvenienced athletes from Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and the country’s women’s football team.
“Hindi apology ang kailangan natin ngayon. Hindi ito madadaan sa apology lamang. Ang kailangan ay gisingin lahat. Huwag papatay-patay,” Go said.
“I am, therefore, delivering this privilege speech to urge Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) and all Filipinos–Huwag po nating hayaan na pumalpak ito,” the legislator added.
“Filipinos should help and cooperate rather than resort to the blaming game.”
The lawmaker also expressed his frustration over those gloating at the misfortunes incurred by the organizers, urging all Filipinos to help and cooperate rather than resort to the blaming game.
“Sobrang nakakalungkot rin po na sa mga panahong ito, may ilan sa mga kababayan natin na pumapalakpak sa maling rason—pumapalakpak dahil gusto nila tayong pumalpak,” the senator said in his speech.
He added, “Ganitong pag-uugali ba ang gusto nating ipakita sa ating mga bisita at karatig bayan? Ganitong pag-uugali ba ang gusto nating ipamana sa ating mga kabataan?”
“Hindi po dapat ganyan ang maging attitude natin ngayon. Magtulungan po tayo bilang suporta sa bawat Pilipinong manlalaro at para magtagumpay ang hosting natin ng SEA Games,” Go stressed.
“There is a right time for everything. Huwag tayong magturuan ngayon. But after the Games, papanagutin natin ang dapat na managot,” he pointed out.
Stating that required support and funds were provided by the government to concerned agencies for a successful hosting, Go told that there is no reason the country should not be ready to host the Games.
“Noong naghahanda tayo for SEA Games, may kanya-kanyang mandato ang gobyerno. Ang Office of the President, Senate, at Congress, nagbigay ng lahat na kakailanganing pondo at suporta para sa hosting kung kaya walang rason para sabihin na hindi tayo handa,” he said, also urging close coordination among the organizers.
“At kahit na may iba-ibang responsibilidad na nakatoka sa PHISGOC, sa PSC, at sa POC, hindi ibig sabihin nito na wala na tayong pakia-alam sa isa’t isa. Huwag tayo magkanya-kanya,” Go stressed.
Reminding the organizers of their duties and responsibilities, he told that the mistake of one is everyone’s mistake.
“To all the parties, tandaan niyo: Ang kapalpakan ng isa ay kapalpakan nating lahat,” Go said, adding that the organizers will be “answerable to the President and, most especially, to the Filipino people.”
“Mataas ang expectation ng buong mundo sa atin bilang host ng SEA Games. The reputation of the country is at stake,” he said. “Hindi ito burden ng isang grupo lamang, hindi lang ang gobyerno, hindi lang ang PSC o POC o PHISGOC, bilang Pilipino, lahat tayo host dito sa SEA Games kung kaya’t ito ang oras na dapat magtulungan, hindi magsisihan.”
“I am ready to investigate any anomalies and irregularities that will arise during the Games.”
Go, who is also the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee, also assured that he is ready to investigate any anomalies and irregularities that will arise during the Games. But he emphasized that this must come after the sporting event has concluded.
“Handa po tayo na mag-imbestiga sa mga kapalpakan na mangyayari sa hosting natin sa SEA Games. Pero sa ngayon, let us work as one in order to win as one.”
Concluding his speech, Go expressed his full support and admiration to Filipino athletes, saying that the government is behind them.
“To all our hard-working athletes, coaches, delegates, and all those who have sacrificed much to bring glory to our nation, we are all behind you. The government and all its resources are all behind you,” he said.
“We wish you nothing but the best, and we will cheer hard for every victory, every defeat, every sacrifice made, for the glory of our people. We win as one,” Go concluded.