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By Leila B. salaverrla,
Denisoh Rey A. Dalupang
rnd Ma on Ramos
@Team_Inquirer
() Seeking to avoid losing
.#a face, President Duterte
a wants to have reports of
problems in
'the
South-
east Asian Games
lreparations investigated and to
:old people accountable should
.rregularities be found, Mala-
:anang said on Wednesday.
The Palace shared the Presi-
lent's reaction to snafus bug-
ling the preparations for the
lames, as the Philippine South-
last Asian Games Organizing
lommittee (Phisgoc) and the
?hilippine Olympic Committee
POC) called for a ceasefire on
regative reporting.
tions for the hosting of the 3oth
Southeast Asian Games have
been marred by controversy.
Members ofthe foreign dele-
gation who came to the country
had complained about being
picked up late from the airport
that affected their training
schedules, and about inadequate
water, food and toilet facilities.
Presidential spokesperson
Salvador Panelo said Mr.
Duterte was not happy about
what he had been headng about
the Games.
"He said they should. do
their iob well so that we would
not lose face before other coun-
tries," Panelo said in an inter-
. view on Radyo Pilipinas.
'Can't afford to fail'
The Presidentalso reminded
Suzara appeared testy at
times during the press confer-
ence, responding to a question
from a reporter: "I'm asking
you, have you been participat-
ing in the SEA Games? Have you
been in a SEA Games as an ath-
lete lor member of the] media?"
'Normal'
The Phisgoc COO said non-
sports people would have a dif-
STOP NEqATIVE REPORTING Ramon Suzara (left);COO of ficult time understanding
the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Com6ittee, events like the SEA Games,
and Abraham Tolentino (center), Philippine Olympic Committee where "waiting for four, two
president, ask for a ceas'efire on negative reporting and for the hours in the airport" and other
media to focus on uSlifting stories about the 3oth Southeast hiccups were "very normal."
Asian Games. Joining them at the press conference is Master "Always before opening cer-
Chef Bruce Lim. -eo rrralcasuls emonies, there are a lot of ad-
justments lthat need to be
madel," he added.
Monico Puentevella, who gridlock traffic is factored in. Such woes are understand-
was organizing committee chair At the press conference, able, according to Tolentino,
eryone's focus is in there," said
Suzara, who slammed what he
called a myopic media cover-
age.
"The Binan complex is nice,
the Muntinlupa cornplex [is,
tool. world Trade Center is
ready, [and] there are a lot of
venues in New Clark
City-which is thq showcase,"
he added.
Help
Suzara asked the press to
"make stories that are very pos-
itive for our athletes," \as it
would be integral in the coun-
try's gold medat bld in the 3oth
edition ofthe meet.
"I need your hetp," he said.
"Let's be patient."
cashincentives i

Phisgoc chief operating offi- the Games organizers not to let in Manila's 2oo5 hosting of the Suzara said observers from var- given the circumstances: A bud- Despile the concerns raised
:er Ramon Suzara and POC the country down. Games, was one prominent crit- ious countries like Vietnam and get released late, and a time by foreign and Filipino athletes,
)resident Abraham Tolentino, a "'Withbarely four days to go ic ofthe preparations. , Cambodia were closely moni- frame too narrow to operate in. Mr. Duterte wanted the orga-
lavite congressman, also asked (before the SEA Games open- "You know I've been in all toring the hosting of the bienni- But the two sports officials nizers, led by the Phlsgoc, to
he media to focus on uplifting ing), we can't afford to fail. SEA Games, Asian Games, al meet. said a lot ofgood news had been stay "united," Go said.
itories about the 3oth South- we're the host. we should not Olympics. We never had this "They are coming here and relegated to the shadows by the The junior senator said the
rastAsian Games. be embarrassed.' That's what he treatment before in other coun- learningbad news," he said. "It's negative reporting, President would provide addi-
"It's unfortunate that it's our said," said Sen. Christopher tries," he said in aTV interview. not helping [us]." Recently, the local govern- tional cash incentives to mem-
'ellow Filipinos who are trying "Bong" Go, referring to Mr. And it doesn't help the Phis- ments of Muntir upa and Bi- bers of the Philippine team who
o bring this hosting down," Duterte whom he spoke with on Different venues goc that the snafus have nan, where badminton, netball would win medals.
;lrzara said at a press confer-, Tuesday night. The Games in Clark, Manila reached the Palace. and some football games are "This is to encourage our
:nce at World Trade Center in Go, Mr. Duterte's former and Subic, which run through "Well, if I were the President slated to be played, flaunted athletes to compete even more
)asay City. longtime aide, told reporters Dec. u, are particularly complex and I'm reading all these bad their readiness in hosting despite the controversies and
"I'm appealing to all of you that the President wanted the with a record 56 sports across news, lthat would be worri- matches on social media. boost their morale for us to
o put a positive note on what sports officials "to carry on with dozens of venues that are in sornel," Suzara said when asked "There are 56 venues. Four win," he said. -wrH REPoRTs
ve have done," Suzara added. their tasks and let's just discuss some cases hours' drive apart, by a reporter about the Presi- of them are under the (Philip- FROM MARK GIONGCO, INQUIRER.NET
The Philippines' prepara- the complaints later." even before Manila's notorious dent's reaction. pine Sports Commission). Ev- ANOAFP INQ
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