Southeast Asian Games woes spoil Duterte's coming-out party

Manila eyes probe over issues surrounding the event

20191128 Philippines SEA Games

Filipino athletes and government officials pose beside the cauldron on Nov. 21 ahead of the Southeast Asian Games to be held in New Clark City, Philippines. © AP

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

MANILA -- The 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which the Philippines is hosting, were touted as a showcase for President Rodrigo Duterte's "golden age of infrastructure."

Instead, this mini version of the Olympics is creating as much drama for logistical snags and complaints over its cost as for the competition itself, putting Duterte on the defensive and leaving organizers red-faced.

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