As the impeachment trial of Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte continues, another political controversy from years ago has found its way back into the headlines.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, one of the senator-judges in the impeachment court, has once again been linked to the issue over the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
The renewed attention follows the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) decision to investigate infrastructure projects connected to the sporting event, which revives the government’s transparency in spending public funds.
In 2019, Cayetano served as chairperson of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the private foundation tasked with organizing the country’s hosting of the regional sporting event.
While the games were completed, they were overshadowed by a series of lapses involving expenditures, logistics, and the mismanagement of public funds.
Among the most debated issues was the SEA Games cauldron designed by National Artist Francisco Mañosa. Then-Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon questioned its cost, arguing that government funds could have been allocated to more urgent public needs, such as building classrooms, instead of a temporary structure.
Cayetano defended the project as a “work of art.” He also argued that its reported ₱50 million construction cost was lower than the approximately ₱64 million spent by Singapore for its SEA Games cauldron in 2015.
Beyond the cauldron, lawmakers and watchdogs also raised concerns over PHISGOC’s handling of billions of pesos in government funds despite being a private foundation.
Questions were raised over why a private entity chaired by Cayetano, who was also serving as Speaker of the House at the time, was entrusted with significant public resources.
The issue resurfaced in July 2026 after the NBI announced an investigation into the construction of sports facilities in New Clark City, Tarlac.
According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, investigators are looking into allegations that around ₱10 billion worth of infrastructure funds were left unliquidated and that several projects may not have undergone the required public bidding process.
