The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) will stay as the administrators for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
A call for unity was held at the Palace Wednesday morning between PHISGOC, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and government officials as Malacañang doubled down on its Memorandum Circular No. 56 issued last January, reiterating its support to the private organization.
The circular, signed by Executive Sec. Salvador Medialdea, ordered the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and all concerned national sports associations to coordinate and support each other to ensure "the effective preparation and successful participation" of the Philippine delegation in the sporting meet.
It also ends weeks of speculation regarding the future of the SEA Games in the country, as Pres. Rodrigo Duterte said last week that he wanted government to take over the hosting following allegations of corruption within the foundation.
"This meeting was called within the walls of Malacañang to show that Pres. Duterte is giving his 100% support to the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games," assured Medialdea.
The government's sports ministry, the PSC, also maintained that it is ready for whatever situation may arise.
"As the chief of government's sporting arm, I am heavily invested in ensuring that whatever the political situation and climate in sports, our athletes are shielded and given the support they need to focus on their goals," said PSC Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
Numerous figures also attended the gathering called by Medialdea. Among them were commissioners of the PSC, members of the POC, members of Gilas Pilipinas, and various athletes and officials, who wore red as a sign of unity.
Sen. Bong Go, meanwhile, filed a bill for a National Sports Academy for secondary students, which Duterte gave a nod to in his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano added that the National Sports Academy will be built in New Clark City, much like how the Philippine Military Academy is operated.
"From elementary school, we can recruit the best of the best, and if it works out, we can go regional," shared Cayetano.