Senator Sotto 'torn' on issues arising from SEAG hosting
Published Nov 23, 2019 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
A "torn" Senate President Vicente Sotto III believed that it was okay to spend millions for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games if it would do good for the country's image.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN) In a radio interview Saturday, Sotto said he understands administration officials for spending some P50 million to build the cauldron that will be lit during the SEA Games from November 30 to December 11. "I'm torn between two perspectives kasi athlete ako noong araw (because I was also an athlete)," Sotto told DWIZ. "'Pag tinignan mo on the side of the government at as long as hindi mawawaldas at makukurakot at para sa ikasasagana ng imahen ng pilipinas, not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world, kung gumastos tayo para dito, talagang okay 'yan (If you look at it from the side of the government, as long as it will not be squandered and plundered, and it will be beneficial to the Philippines' image not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world, then it's very much okay to spend for it)," he added. "Mahirap din pintasan kasi yung image ng Pilipinas kahit papano. Ayaw natin na minamaliit tayo. Baka pag di ganyan ginawa natin baka puro pintas maririnig natin (We would not want the Philippines to be laughed at by other countries. We do not want to be belittled. If we did not do that, we will end up hearing insults)," he added. On the other hand, the Senate chief also took note of concerns that such huge amount could have been used for more significant purposes. "Pero ang mabigat sa other side baka pwedeng ikinain na lang namin yan, gamitin natin sa iba. Talagang ano 'yan -- I'm torn, may mga punto, eh, (What's serious from the other side is that it could be used to feed us, or for other programs. That it was really extravagant -- but I'm torn, both sides made a point)," he said. Anyway, Sotto said President Duterte has the final say on whether or not the country should allot huge amounts for such buildings. "Ang mamamayani dyan who calls the shots. Sino ba ang boss? Eh yung boss ang gusto bilhin, eh, 'di all you can do is criticize (The one who calls the shots will prevail. Who is the boss? If the boss wanted to spend, then all you can do is criticize)," he said. Duterte has defended the controversial cauldron, saying there is no extravagance nor corruption with the construction of the cauldron. He called it a "product of the mind," as it was designed by late National Artist for Architecture Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa. Of the P50 million spent for the cauldron, P4.4 million was paid for Mañosa's design. The foundation cost P13.4 million, while the construction amounted to P32 million. During the Senate's plenary deliberations on the P4.1-trillion proposed national budget, Sotto opined that the Philippines, like Brunei Darussalam, should have turned down the hosting of this year's SEA Games. "We should have avoided this so that there will be more money for the farmers instead, and the fishermen," he said. On Saturday, he said he hopes that the establishments built for the SEA Games will not end up being white elephants after the event. Meanwhile, he agreed with Senator Sonny Angara in calling for a ceasefire on the issue of SEA Games cauldron. "Kampihan muna natin mga atleta natin pagkatapos saka tayo magturuan (Let's cheer for our athletes first, we can point fingers afterwards)," Sotto said.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN) In a radio interview Saturday, Sotto said he understands administration officials for spending some P50 million to build the cauldron that will be lit during the SEA Games from November 30 to December 11. "I'm torn between two perspectives kasi athlete ako noong araw (because I was also an athlete)," Sotto told DWIZ. "'Pag tinignan mo on the side of the government at as long as hindi mawawaldas at makukurakot at para sa ikasasagana ng imahen ng pilipinas, not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world, kung gumastos tayo para dito, talagang okay 'yan (If you look at it from the side of the government, as long as it will not be squandered and plundered, and it will be beneficial to the Philippines' image not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world, then it's very much okay to spend for it)," he added. "Mahirap din pintasan kasi yung image ng Pilipinas kahit papano. Ayaw natin na minamaliit tayo. Baka pag di ganyan ginawa natin baka puro pintas maririnig natin (We would not want the Philippines to be laughed at by other countries. We do not want to be belittled. If we did not do that, we will end up hearing insults)," he added. On the other hand, the Senate chief also took note of concerns that such huge amount could have been used for more significant purposes. "Pero ang mabigat sa other side baka pwedeng ikinain na lang namin yan, gamitin natin sa iba. Talagang ano 'yan -- I'm torn, may mga punto, eh, (What's serious from the other side is that it could be used to feed us, or for other programs. That it was really extravagant -- but I'm torn, both sides made a point)," he said. Anyway, Sotto said President Duterte has the final say on whether or not the country should allot huge amounts for such buildings. "Ang mamamayani dyan who calls the shots. Sino ba ang boss? Eh yung boss ang gusto bilhin, eh, 'di all you can do is criticize (The one who calls the shots will prevail. Who is the boss? If the boss wanted to spend, then all you can do is criticize)," he said. Duterte has defended the controversial cauldron, saying there is no extravagance nor corruption with the construction of the cauldron. He called it a "product of the mind," as it was designed by late National Artist for Architecture Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa. Of the P50 million spent for the cauldron, P4.4 million was paid for Mañosa's design. The foundation cost P13.4 million, while the construction amounted to P32 million. During the Senate's plenary deliberations on the P4.1-trillion proposed national budget, Sotto opined that the Philippines, like Brunei Darussalam, should have turned down the hosting of this year's SEA Games. "We should have avoided this so that there will be more money for the farmers instead, and the fishermen," he said. On Saturday, he said he hopes that the establishments built for the SEA Games will not end up being white elephants after the event. Meanwhile, he agreed with Senator Sonny Angara in calling for a ceasefire on the issue of SEA Games cauldron. "Kampihan muna natin mga atleta natin pagkatapos saka tayo magturuan (Let's cheer for our athletes first, we can point fingers afterwards)," Sotto said.