Palace apologizes to SEA Games athletes for poor reception

Malacañang on Sunday apologized to the international athletes and guests who came to the Philippines for the 30th Southeast Asian Games after some delegates received a poor reception upon their arrival.

Athletes from Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Myanmar spent hours waiting at the airport or at their designated hotels after organizers encountered issues with transportation and room accommodations.

The SEA Games organizing committee has since apologized for the incidents. 

“We can no longer undo what has been done. The Office of the President will not offer any excuses. As host country, we apologize for the unintentional inconvenience suffered by our athlete-guests,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The Palace also said they never promised that the country’s hosting of the SEA Games would be perfect, adding that the safety and health of athletes have not been jeopardized.

“We are not promising that the games will run without a hitch, given the countless athletes who will participate and represent their respective countries, but we will exercise due diligence in making sure everyone will have a pleasant, productive and memorable stay in the Philippines,” Panelo said.

Century Park Hotel Manila on Sunday night aired its explanation on the problems raised by football teams from Cambodia and Thailand.

"Rest assured that we continue to uphold our mission to provide a home away from home to all our guests. We will strive to make the SEA Games delegation’s stay a memorable one in the coming days," the hotel said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/BM/KG, GMA News