By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

OVER seven months after the 10-day Micronesian Games, controversy still hounds the event, as the overall record has yet to be disclosed to the public.
On Saturday, Micronesian Games Organizing Committee chairman Rex I. Palacios broke his silence aiming to put an end to the never-ending criticism of the conduct of the event which saw the participation of thousands of athletes and coaches from all over Micronesia and Pacific.
Palacios said that the general outcome of the event in terms of finances cannot be determined until chairmen of the various games committees turn in their reports.
There are 10 main committees and 8 subcommittees of the Micronesian Games. These include food, sports, media, logistics, entertainment, ceremonies, medical, transportation, financial and security.
Palacios revealed that despite notices and reminders of their obligations, six main committee chairmen have yet to submit their records as of press time.
“Only the food committee, media, medical, and subcommittee in swimming turned in their reports…the rest until now are sitting on their documents,” Palacios said, adding that this has caused the financial committee, which he chairs, to be delayed on its report also.
Variety learned that those in compliance are Kurt Barnes, food committee; Bob Coldeen, media committee; Dr. Richard Brostrom, medical committee; and Mike Stewart, swimming committee chair.
“I am working on the financial…and I can say that it’s almost 90 percent complete,” he said.
Palacios said as of his last check in August, the Micro Games generated from $400,000 to $600,000 in collections and about $200,000 in in-kind contributions.
“That was the last check I made way back in August. If there’s any left over from this event, not a single cent will go anywhere…but to the CNMI government because that was, in the first place, the reason why the games pushed through,” he told Variety.
Palacios admitted that there may be a number of vendors who have yet to be paid, “but that’s because invoices and documentation was not submitted to the main office.”
He said the Games made the full payment for food which was the biggest expense during the event; tents; transportation; security; water; ice; uniforms; equipment rental; toiletries; and volunteers.
“If they are claiming that we still have unpaid vendors…I think it’s basic that we only have to pay those who have the proper transactions and invoices because that’s proof that they delivered the items…but if they don’t provide us with this requirement no payment will be made,” he said, adding that if transactions and delivery were done on Monday, “definitely we would have made the payment on Friday.”
Palacios said although they encountered some discrepancies like in the renting of the sound system, procurement of uniforms, and delivery and ordering of food for the event, “we reconciled everything.”
“If these people are claiming that I am not completing my work, they have to understand that their reports are prerequisites for my work. Once they submit their reports, I don’t think we will have a problem disclosing everything about the Micro Games…so I am challenging these people (chairmen) to do their thing,” he said.
Other committee and subcommittee chairmen during the Micro Games include Tony Rogolifoi, sports and baseball; Jack Diaz, logistics; Joe Limes, entertainment; Daisy Villagomez-Bier, ceremonies; Rose Igitol, medals; Jess Wabol, golf; Rob Jordan, canoe.