Palace to probe SEA Games hosting woes

Malacañang is set to investigate the missteps and alleged irregularities in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace would hold an investigation even as it welcomed the plan of the Senate to do the same.

“The Office of the President will also be conducting a separate probe on the aberrations and irregularities in the administration of our country's hosting of the SEA Games immediately after the games,” Panelo said.

Transportation, food and accommodation issues hounded the Philippines' fourth hosting of the regional sports meet ahead of the opening ceremony on November 30, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to express displeasure and push for an investigation.

Panelo said the President will likely form a committee or appoint a person to handle the investigation. He added any complaint lodged in the Office of the President concerning the SEA Games will be subject to scrutiny.

“An array of criticisms has been made on how PHISGOC [Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee] has handled the logistics of this momentous event, and these should be accepted and considered in order to rectify the errors it has committed,” Panelo said.

“The critics have a point. There is indeed something wrong with the preparations.”

Panelo said the PHISGOC should “perform better services expected of them.”

Also on Thursday, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, PHISCOG chairperson, said he is ready for any impending probe on the matter.

“[Come] December 12, hold me accountable. Hold the SEA Games Organizing Committee accountable,” he said in a speech during the 44th National Prayer Breakfast in San Juan City.

“Hindi ako magtatago. Ako mismo ang haharap sa Senado, sa Ombudsman,” he added.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

In the meantime, Panelo said the games should continue “without the attendant raucous bashing.”

“Our local athletes deserve our support. Let us welcome our foreign guests with the kind of warm hospitality we are known for,” Panelo said.

Panelo also urged everyone to be more circumspect in reading articles that may contain false information.

He also asked the media “to be more prudent in their reporting and avoid publishing information without verification, as allegations are remembered, not their clarifications or justifications.”

The 30th SEA Games will run from November 30 to December 11. — RSJ, GMA News