Manila: The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) has openly welcomed the scrutiny of the PHP2.08 billion fund allocated for the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG). PHISGOC has issued a certification from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which confirms the complete liquidation of the funds.
According to Philippines News Agency, PHISGOC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara stated that the organization's records have been meticulously completed, submitted, and independently examined. He emphasized their readiness to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry. "The 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games was staged from November 30 to December 11, 2019, and although post-Games obligations and responsibilities were delayed by the pandemic, the PHISGOC, according to PSC chief accountant Erik Mayores, was fully liquidated in March 2022," Suzara mentioned in a news release.
The PSC certification, dated July 20, 2026, asserts: "This is to certify that based on the records of the Accounting Division of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the PHISGOC Foundation has submitted all (100%) of the liquidation reports covering the financial assistance granted by the PSC in connection with the hosting of the 30th SEA Games amounting to PHP2.082 billion."
Suzara further noted that all PHISGOC financial documents underwent an audit by the independent auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers / Isla Lipana and Co. Beyond the documentation, PHISGOC highlighted the successful hosting of the event as a testament to their efforts.
During the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines emerged as the overall champion, securing a total of 387 medals, including 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals, marking it as the country's most successful SEA Games campaign in history. "It was a multi-agency, multi-department organization whose main purpose was for a successful hosting by the Philippines. We achieved this and the entire country rejoiced," Suzara stated.
He also highlighted the significance of the New Clark City (NCC) facilities, which continue to serve Filipino athletes and are the country's only internationally certified athletics and aquatics venues capable of hosting regional competitions. "The NCC sports facilities were a milestone project built by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in a record 18 months and were built in time for the Games," Suzara added.
PHISGOC expressed its preparedness to address any specific allegations through the proper channels and to make its records available to any legitimate inquiry.
