“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.

Presidental Spokesman Salvador Panelo. (OPS)

Malacañang on Thursday asked the public not to believe outright news articles regarding the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) as many of them are untrue.

In statement, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, also called on media outfits to be more prudent in their reporting and avoid publishing information without verification, as allegations are remembered, not their clarifications or justifications.

Meanwhile, Panelo said the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) should deliver better services expected of them amid the array of criticisms on how it has handled the logistics of the sporting event.

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

Panelo also said the Palace welcomes the Senate’s initiative to conduct an inquiry on the alleged shortcomings of Phisgoc.

“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,” he said.

“In the meanwhile, let the games 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 added.

To end on a high note, Panelo said that President Duterte will give incentives and even medals in the Order of Lapu-Lapu to the winning athletes during the games.

“To all the athletes participating in the games, we wish them the best of luck as they display their wares and talents in the competition,” Panelo said.

Panelo earlier said that President Duterte has assured that those in government who committed any wrongdoing in the country’s preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games will held liable or accountable.

In an interview in Busan, South Korea, Panelo said President Duterte was not very pleased on what he has been hearing about problems faced by the Phisgoc in attending to visiting athletes and he wants the matter investigated.

“Let’s put it this way, the President is not pleased of what he’s been hearing about certain snafu, certain delays, certain allegations of athletes not being fed properly, athletes arriving late or not on time delivered to their places of rest or residence. He’s displeased,” Panelo told reporters.

“Ayaw niya ‘yun (He doesn’t want that).There were allegations of fraud na lumalabas sa dyaryo ayaw nya rin yun (coming out in the papers, he doesn’t want that). He wants to investigate that. Hindi uubra sa kanya ang corruption (Corruption won’t work with him),” he said.

Earlier, football players from Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Timor-Leste suffered a nightmarish start as Phisgoc failed to secure their rooms ahead of the standard check-in time of 2 p.m.

With that, they had to wait for several hours with the Cambodians seen lying on the floor to catch some sleep while their rooms were still being prepared.

Some of the foreign and local athletes also reportedly complained on the food they are eating.