MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is angry with several unsavory news about “inconveniences” experienced by visiting athletes and guests of the South East Asian (SEA) Games, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday, 26 November 2019.

According to Panelo, the President is aware of the woeful experiences foreign athletes had upon their arrival including issues on transportation, billeting, food, and facilities and the Chief Executive “did not like it.”

The Presidential Spokesman said that organizers should have a fallback, especially those who would look at the needs of athletes for them to be spared from long hours of waiting in line at the airport.

He added that organizers “should not sleep in the closet as they are being watched by the public as well as government officials concerned with sports.”

Panelo also commented on the “kikiam” for Breakfast issue saying  kikiam for breakfast is not nutritious and non-athlete food especially those participating in the SEA Games.

According to Panelo, this type of diet (kikiam) is only for the hungry on the streets when there is no other choice but not for the athletes who need sufficient strength as a player.

Panelo said that nutritious foods should be given to Filipino athletes so that they have the strength to compete with opponents to win and take home a gold medal. (Lloyd Tagbago/IAMIGO/CNS)