Although Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) chief executive officer Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr. refused to give the exact amount of pledges as well as the names of the donors, he confirmed that former colleagues from Congress have promised to help financially.

Philsoc officials had earlier disclosed they still need at least R300 million to meet the projected R1 billion budget to stage the Games set Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

"Marami na ang pumipirma and it’s very encouraging," said the former Tarlac congressman. "At least people are beginning to realize that this project is for the entire Philippines and not by the Philsoc or the government alone."

Rep. Francis Nepomuceno and Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City are donating R2 million each, the amount to come from their Countrywide Development Fund (CDF).

House Committee on Youth and Sports Development Chairman Rep. Renato Unico also made a letter of solicitation to his colleagues asking them to pledge cash.

House Speaker Jose de Venecia endorsed the solicitation letter of Unico.

"It is in this light that the active support of the members of the House is very crucial to ensure the success of the Games and help reinvigorate the flagging spirit of our countrymen, many of whom desperately need a challenge such as this to re-channel their energies and give them the much needed hope," said Unico in his letter.

Cojuangco, also the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president, said financial aid obtained from the CDF of Lower House representatives could perhaps, directly be received by Philsoc from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), since it is the ‘DBM itself which releases the CDF of Congress."

A similar pledging session is being planned in the Senate, according to Puentevella, who revealed he is setting up a meeting with Sen. Lito Lapid, Chairman of the Youth and Sports Development Committee in the Upper House, regarding the matter.

Lapid earlier said he’s ready to donate at least R50 million of his CDF to the SEA Games hosts.

Sens. Pia Cayetano and Richard Gordon have also committed to help Philsoc generate funds for the staging of the 11-nation Games.

Meanwhile, Cojuangco said Philsoc has yet to formally receive the second installment of the R300 million government share for the hosting of the biennial meet.

"So far, di pa natatangap ng Philsoc," said Cojuangco of the second tranche of R100 million (less 5 percent tax) released by DBM through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The first tranche of R100 million was released middle of last month.