MANILA, Philippines – The answer to the headline-question above is a resounding “Yes!”

That’s exactly how a critical online newspaper publication portrays on the accolade that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) recently received from the Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) as “best organizer” of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games.

Phisgoc is chaired by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano who himself received the “special recognition” from the award-giving body, which  Phisgoc itself accordingly “endorsed” and “supported.”

No more than Cayetano himself allegedly posted on Facebook Wednesday, December 4, on which the Speaker of the House of Representatives claimed SPIA gave Phisgoc a “best SEAG organizer” citation during an awards rites at the Grand Hyatt Manila on Tuesday, December 3 on which SPIA chief executive Eric Gottschalk boomed as his organization praised Phisgoc for the “best Southeast Asian Games so far, ever.”

“These are by far the best Southeast Asian Games so far, ever. And that has been awarded by SPIA Asia to Phisgoc. So congratulations,” Gottschalk added.

The online paper went further saying SPIA Asia’s website says it is “endorsed” and “supported” by its own awardee, Phisgoc.

Some netizens however, pointed out being “endorsed” and “supported” do not necessarily mean as “created” and “owned” by Phisgoc itself.

“Sour-graping and crab-mentally” against Phisgoc’s success could be eating them,” another netizen said. (IAMIGO/CNS)