The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said it will send a total of 247 athletes to the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) this December in Laos even if the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) insists it will only finance the participation of 153.

“There is a reason behind sending them (to Laos),” said POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco during a radio interview from Tarlac. “Each one of these athletes is deserving.”

Cojuangco said the POC will find a way to come up with the money to field an additional 94 to the December 9 to 18 sportsfest that will be held in the Laotian capital of Vientiane.

PSC chairman Harry Angping said the 153 is mainly composed of gold and silver medal winners from the 2007 Thailand SEAG.

Angping hopes the 153 athletes will either retain their titles or improve their performances as in the case of silver medal winners.

Aside from the athletes, the PSC said it will also bankroll the trip of 47 officials.

But the POC said while the intention of cutting down on expenses is noble, “our gold and silver medalists will not last,” noted Cojuangco, asking: “What will happen to our future?”

Cojuangco stressed that those who won’t be given financial support by the PSC will instead be taken care of the POC by way of private sector funds.

“Merong sumasagot sa ibang sport. But we are pretty confident we can cover the people that we picked to represent the country. It would be a shame to the program and the athletes if we don’t do this.”