PhilCycling encouraging
probe on alleged anomalies

THE PhilCycling said yesterday it is encouraging investigations on alleged anomalies on the acquisition of bicycles and equipment the government purchased for the use of cyclists who competed in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games last year.

The governing body for cycling in the country would also actively participate in the investigations, according to its president Bert Lina.

Several cyclists said bicycles and equipment worth P2.2 million were overpriced and were not distributed properly to them for their SEA Games campaign.

But Philcycling officials said they did not purchase the equipment themselves nor did they receive the money to buy the cycling gear.

PhilCycling said in a statement "it has conducted an inquiry on the allegations but deemed it does not have the authority to continue with its investigation because the association did not participate directly in the purchase of the bicycles and equipment."

The cycling body added it "merely made recommendations to the Task Force for the 24th SEA Games… for the bicycle and equipment requirement for the Thailand Games."

A request for P3.2 million in bicycles and equipment was made, but the Task Force cut it to P1.8 million.

Philcycling and the Task Force eventually agreed to a P2.2 million figure but Philcycling said the PSC "took over from there, specifically in the canvass and bidding and eventually in the awarding process."

PhilCycling said it just monitored the progress of the acquisition, especially on the delivery dates as well as to the conformation to specifications of the equipment purchased.