‘We’ll support the Speaker’: SEA Games probe won’t start at House – Salceda

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives could not be expected to conduct a probe on the controversies hounding the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as the organizing committee of the biennial regional sports event is led by its leader – Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

According to Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, such an investigation will not “prosper” in the lower chamber because: “Siyempre, Speaker namin ‘yan and therefore tutulungan namin ‘yan. I don’t think an investigation will prosper in the House.”

(Of course, he’s our Speaker and therefore we will help him.)

“Of course we will try to save our king. We will support the Speaker,” added Salceda during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Manila on Wednesday.

Several issues ranging from transportation, accommodation, and provision of food and water for foreign and local athletes have upset the first days of the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games, which will formally open on November 30.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered an investigation on the SEA Games snafus in the wake of alleged “incompetence and corruption” hurled against the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee chaired by Cayetano.

READ: SEA Games hosting troubles anger Duterte

READ: Duterte wants probe of SEA Games mess

But Salceda warned detractors they “will eat their own words” once they witness the opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA Games on Saturday.

He claimed that the 30th SEA Games will be the “best hosted in history.”

“Pagdating ng (On) November 30, there will be a tidal wave of reversal of public sentiment. These games will make you proud,” the Albay lawmaker said.

“This will be the best SEA Games hosted in history. ‘Yung mga nega(Those negative people), they will eat their own words,” he added.

Edited by KGA