MANILA: (Bernama-PNA) The Office of the President of the Philippines on Tuesday (Feb 3) assured the public that the government will be transparent in utilising public funds for the Philippines’ hosting of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits.
The Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported that Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would ensure that no irregularities would occur in the release and use of funds for Asean-related events and activities.
"We are reporting and you can be assured because the President does not want any issues related to corruption, so you can expect transparency,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.
"As for procurement, the process is being strictly monitored, including the evaluation of costs and the nature of the event,” she added.
Castro noted that Asean meetings are considered high-profile international events, which may qualify for exemptions from standard open competitive bidding, allowing alternative procurement methods such as negotiated procurement or direct contracting, as provided under existing rules.
She also responded to criticisms that NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, the venue for the recent Asean-related event, was inappropriate for official functions due to its casino setting, considering the presence of Muslim delegates from Asean member states such as Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.
She said the government did not violate any protocol in choosing NUSTAR Resort, a five-star integrated resort used as a venue for international events.
"Because even if it is a hotel-casino, the venue was used for an international event like a summit, not for gambling,” Castro said.
"The Philippines did not violate any protocol. It would be a different matter if people went there to gamble,” she added. - Bernama-PNA
