December 1st, 2005
Sour Graping
journal.com.ph 2:02PM Today
THAI Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today expressed doubts over the fairness of results in the Southeast Asian Games, as host nation the Philippines is winning far more medals than competitors.
"Normally, I have no time to watch sports but I often watched these Games and kept thinking 'why do results turn out to be that way?' I don't know what to say," he told reporters.
The Philippines has a significant lead in the race for medals in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, with 57 medals including 29 golds. Vietnam and Thailand are second and third with 48 and 42 medals respectively.
While Thaksin stopped short of naming the Philippines, he said he was disappointed by the Game and might raise the medal issue on the sidelines of the December's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Malaysia.
"If the SEA Games continue to be like this, then it will become less popular because they have put a priority for medals over athletic spirit," the prime minister said.
"It's normal to win or lose. But it's not nice if we host such a Games and do this to other countries. In sports, I believe we have to develop athletic skills and good sportsmanship. We should not focus only on medals and forget about being good sports," he said.
AFP
THAI Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today expressed doubts over the fairness of results in the Southeast Asian Games, as host nation the Philippines is winning far more medals than competitors.
"Normally, I have no time to watch sports but I often watched these Games and kept thinking 'why do results turn out to be that way?' I don't know what to say," he told reporters.
The Philippines has a significant lead in the race for medals in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, with 57 medals including 29 golds. Vietnam and Thailand are second and third with 48 and 42 medals respectively.
While Thaksin stopped short of naming the Philippines, he said he was disappointed by the Game and might raise the medal issue on the sidelines of the December's summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Malaysia.
"If the SEA Games continue to be like this, then it will become less popular because they have put a priority for medals over athletic spirit," the prime minister said.
"It's normal to win or lose. But it's not nice if we host such a Games and do this to other countries. In sports, I believe we have to develop athletic skills and good sportsmanship. We should not focus only on medals and forget about being good sports," he said.
AFP
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How dare them? What if this happens in his country?
You are being unfair to our athletes. They worked so hard training for this competition and now youa re suggesting that we are cheaters?!
This afternoon I was watching the volleyball game between Thailand and Philippines. We lost. I wonder if Thai's PM is happy now.
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Lacson's advice: First Couple shouldn't attend SEA Games
12/01 4:06:09 PM
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NE...20054484_11.htm
Instead of ordering a probe into alleged cheating in the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo should avoid making public appearances at the events.
This was Sen. Panfilo Lacson's advice to the First Couple, after Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was quoted as questioning the fairness of officiating in the Games, which the Philippines presently hosts.
"For the sake of our athletes who have performed admirably well in spite of the lack of government support, the least they could do is to lessen the suspicion of cheating in the Games. Our athletes have been an inspiration to us during these trying times, and it will be unfair to them if they are suspected of taking part in cheating," Lacson said.
Lacson issued the advice shortly after Malacañang ordered an investigation into the Thai leader's allegations, even as he cautioned them against bringing former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to the event venue, especially during the closing ceremonies this coming Sunday.
"Don't ever commit the mistake of bringing Garci to the closing ceremonies of the SEA Games," he said.
Earlier, Thaksin was quoted in a report as questioning the fairness of the Games, where he suggested that the Games had been reduced to a medal race. The Philippines presently leads the standings.
According to Lacson, it cannot be helped if the presence of the First Couple at event venues would raise questions about fairness, particularly since the issue of cheating in the 2004 presidential elections has not been resolved.
"Because of the cheating in last year's election, their mere presence will be enough to arouse suspicions of cheating. I suspect that's the main reason why Prime Minister Thaksin issued such statements," he said.
The "Hello Garci" issue had stemmed from wiretapped conversations between Mrs. Arroyo and Garcillano, prompting several protest actions that included the spreading of ring tones based on clippings of the tapes.
12/01 4:06:09 PM
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NE...20054484_11.htm
Instead of ordering a probe into alleged cheating in the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo should avoid making public appearances at the events.
This was Sen. Panfilo Lacson's advice to the First Couple, after Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was quoted as questioning the fairness of officiating in the Games, which the Philippines presently hosts.
"For the sake of our athletes who have performed admirably well in spite of the lack of government support, the least they could do is to lessen the suspicion of cheating in the Games. Our athletes have been an inspiration to us during these trying times, and it will be unfair to them if they are suspected of taking part in cheating," Lacson said.
Lacson issued the advice shortly after Malacañang ordered an investigation into the Thai leader's allegations, even as he cautioned them against bringing former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to the event venue, especially during the closing ceremonies this coming Sunday.
"Don't ever commit the mistake of bringing Garci to the closing ceremonies of the SEA Games," he said.
Earlier, Thaksin was quoted in a report as questioning the fairness of the Games, where he suggested that the Games had been reduced to a medal race. The Philippines presently leads the standings.
According to Lacson, it cannot be helped if the presence of the First Couple at event venues would raise questions about fairness, particularly since the issue of cheating in the 2004 presidential elections has not been resolved.
"Because of the cheating in last year's election, their mere presence will be enough to arouse suspicions of cheating. I suspect that's the main reason why Prime Minister Thaksin issued such statements," he said.
The "Hello Garci" issue had stemmed from wiretapped conversations between Mrs. Arroyo and Garcillano, prompting several protest actions that included the spreading of ring tones based on clippings of the tapes.
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Isa pa itong sour graping! Kelan kaya titigilan ni Lacson ang pamumulitika? Kapag naging presidente na siguro siya!
Instead of coming to our country's defense, ginatungan pa ng isang toh!
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On other news, Garcillano came out. As expected, he denied that he helped PGMA win in the last election.
Opposition is now saying that this is part of a script. Whatever.
He is set to face the House Inquiry on Wednesday which means a looong day for us.
Goodluck!
