The request of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for a liquidation report from the Bacolod Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee has nothing to do with any political agenda, Bacolod Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said yesterday.

Sayson said it is standard operating procedure with the SP that if there are expenses there should be a liquidation report.

He said he does not know who are the councilors being referred to by BaSoc secretary general Eric Loretizo who are spreading black propaganda against him.

Loretizo said there is a local official spreading misinformation that the P9 million was given by the city to BaSoc for the transportation of the athletes during the 23rd Southeast Asian Games. He said some councilors are trying to pin down BaSoc for the use of the Cebro buses when the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee did not send the $40 a day it had committed, but only $30.

Sayson said that under the contract of the city with PhilSoc, it is the responsibility of the city to provide transportation for the athletes. He said he does not know what happened and wants the matter clarified.

Sayson said Loretizo imposed a deadline that within 15 days he will submit a liquidation report to the SP. The SP asked for a liquidation statement but it had no attachments, he said, and to justify the expenses Loretizo should have attached the cash vouchers.

Loretizo said they have all the receipts and documents at the BaSoc office and will provide copies of them to the SP after these are reproduced. He said he is certain that the criticisms are not intended for him but for Puentevella who brought the games to Bacolod.

Sayson said Puentevella has nothing to do with the operation of BaSoc so Loretizo should be the one to answer. Is asking for the liquidation of the P9 million hitting Puentevella? He asked.

Loretizo said what the councilors are raising are fake concerns and that in due time he will speak his mind. He also apologized for not giving in to their request for favors during the SEA Games.

Sayson said the allegations of Loretizo are not true.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he is assuming everything is regular and accounted for, but in the meantime, he is submitting the BaSoc report to Executive Assistant Lorenza Uy for evaluation.*CGS

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