“UNANG-UNA, malakas ang loob natin at talagang napakaganda ng mga facilities na ’yon. Nakita nyo naman nagbigay ’yan ng pride sa atin nung SEA Games nung 2019. Pati mga dayuhan, mga taga-Singapore, pinupuri ’yan. Ang nakakatuwa, ginagamit ’yan ng mga atleta natin lalo na yung mga nag-aaral nating atleta sa National Academy of Sports. Ngayon lang tayo nagkaroon ng world-class facilities.”
So, goes the spirited defense of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon of the infra projects built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City where he roosted as then-president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
Dizon was speaking to reporters on July 20 in the wake of reports that the National Bureau of Investigation will issue subpoenas to key officials of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PhiSGOC) as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2019 SEA Games.
Dizon said that he will coordinate if the NBI will send him a subpoena.
The Office of the Ombudsman had also said it would review records related to the complaint over the same alleged irregularities in the preparation for the games after receiving new information.
The Ombudsman in December 2021 dismissed the case filed against Dizon and several former officials for lack of probable cause.
“Kagaya na rin ng sinabi ng Ombudsman at NBI, 2021 pa ‘yan na-dismiss. May nagkaso na dyan laban sa akin, laban sa iba’t ibang mga opisyales, pero na-dismiss na ’yan December 2021 pa. Kampante tayo dyan. Pero at the same time kung merong mga imbestigasyon kampante rin tayo,” he said, adding that he is prepared to cooperate should authorities conduct further investigations
“Tayo ay makikipag-cooperate dyan kasi malinis ang konsensya natin at naniniwala tayo na napakaayos nung mga facilities na ’yan at napakaayos ng pagkagawa,” Dizon stressed.
The New Clark City Sports Complex regularly hosts sports competitions as well as events and conventions. It also serves as the home of the National Academy of Sports. With media reports/Photo: DPWH
