Duterte: Probe SE AG snafu

d\
r..t I
o sports tourism industry," Salceda said not fair to overly criticize Speaker Cay-
a.l
Duterte:.. -iil; ;,*t ;;ad'dbcated for the etano and tho oryanize$ at this point."

fr Targets Cayetano, Frcm Al

said they should fix it and we won't be

hosting ofthe 30th SEA Games is P6 bil-
lion-a large amount but "not excessive."
Salceda said.
"We should sec lirsl what they have in
store for everyone for the entire duration
ofour hosling and allow them to do their

E P10-m cauldron, embarrassed to other countries. He said

they will'be held accountable," Panelo
He said Singapore spent thq equiva-
lent ofPl2 billion in 2015 for hosting 36
thing," he added.
Senate President Vicente Sono lll re-

e other'blunders' said in an interview with state-run Radyo

Pilipinas.
"The Prcsident will invesrigate inLo ir-
reg ularities, incompetence or corruption
?
F ay M., Blancaflo4 Maricelv. cruz
ard Macon Ramos-Araneta
that were reported in the newspapers,"
Panelo added.
Both foJeign and local athletes bave
tE -;*'b RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte complaineii about problems with accom-
sporls and 402 events, while Malaysia in-
iested P6.3 billion for hosting 39 sports
and 404 events in 2017.
'Afler the 30th SEA Games, there is a
called that when he was a player, then a
coach ofthe national bowling team, they
spent lor their meals and even lodging.
Reacring to criticism ofthe food being
greater opportunity. with a lotofeconom- .of'lbred to athletes, Sotto said the organ-
ic returns to bid for bigger intemational izers ofthe SEA Games were being "too
mulli-spon events like the 2022 Asian
Indoor Martial Arts, 2030 Asian Games
hospitable."
Sotto competed in the 1970s and early

E
t! -[-' mi i;::li*i'lJ::l'f"*
fiil,r"*'i'Ti'.'J,iiili'"""1r'J'"ar"t
modation, food, facilities, aqd transporta-
tion. Media practitioners also complained
about the inefficienl accreditation pro-
cess.
or €ven one day the Olympic Games,"
Salceda said.
1980s, when he said host countries even
tried to make othet teams "uncomfort-
"The Philippines will even host the able" so that they would lose.
FIBA World Cup 2023 even if there are "Why do you think the host country
tI Philippines'hosting ofthe 33Oth
the Philipoines'hostins These blunders proropted Phisgoc and great but limited facilities available," he ahyays wins? The host country is not
lI- |B Sorrtheasf Aqian (SFAI
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
Games,' Malacaflang to issue an apology,
Despite the bad press, Albay Rep. Joey
added.
He said the New Clark City Athletics
supposed to feed them, etc., etc., etc. We
spent for our meals and other expenses'
€= tr Malacaf,ang said'Wednesday. Salceda on Wednesday said there will be
a "tidal wave of reversal" of public son-
Stadium and Aquatics Center, the flag- even lodging," Sotto said.
ship venue of the 30(h SEA Games, in- "There are times when we should stop

Efi
-fl
I'ni',H.'J:f:J's:;lH::':i::J;:T,':1,'.t:
h. Phrnpplne soumeasr Asran Games or-
ganizing Committee, as well as the
controversial P50-million stadium
cauldron, Presidential Spokesman Sal-
vador Panelo said.
The Palace official said the Presi-
dent was "displeased" upon hea_rigg
'the
mishaps in the regional lames
while he was in South Korea to at-
tend the sumrEiti.
"I talked with him last night. He was
displeased with what's happening so he
Next pagc
4 our people, our culture, and our values. It
"qte\Dut€ lJaLs
timent on the Philippines' hosting of the
30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games once
the opening ceremonies take place on
Nov 30.
Salceda said the Philippine 2019 host-
ing is expected to be the biggest in the his-
tory of the biennial event with 56 sports
and 530 events to be contested by more
than 11,000 athletes and team officials.
"These games will make you proud as
a Filipino... Those who are negative about
it, you will eat your own words," Salceda
said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"Hosting an international multi-sport
event is a matter ofnational pride. There
is no price tag for that. It will showcase
also benefits the country's efforts in tour-
ism foreign inyestment and internatio:ral
cluding the Athletes Village which can bickering about petty things!" he added,
house 1,575 athletes, will continue to be railing at criticism on bocial media.
used by local athletes for their tlaining. In his time, he said, accommodations
House leaders on lVednesday appealed usuallv meant dormitories
to critics to set aside their complaints un- "Here thev have hotels, and food," he
til after the regional event is over said, noting this was much better com-
Deputy Majority Leader and Camiguin pared to other countries.
Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Salceda. The Metro Manila DeveloPment Au-
and Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alva- thoritv and Manila District Traffic En-
rado defended Cayetano, chairman ofthe forcemenr Unit will close the following
Phisgoc, saying the rirades *ere unlair roads from 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 30 1o Dec.
and could hurt morale arlong Filipino ll.
athletes. . Alons Adriatico -from President
"We should withhold judgment on our Ouirino tdP Ocampo (both bound direc-
hosting of the SEA Games until after it tions.l
is over," said Romualdo. "Our assessment . Along P Ocampo- from Taft Ave to
should based on the entirety of our hosting Adriatico (westbound direction on$)
and notjust on some shortcomings at the Motorists are advised to us€ alternative
start of the games. That's why I think it's routes. With PNA