MANILA - While House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has to answer for issues hounding the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is "sure" that his staunch ally is not involved in corruption.

"Yes, he (Cayetano) has to answer but I do not think corruption. I am sure Cayetano is not involved in corruption," Duterte said.

• 'Walang kai-kaibigan': Duterte-Cayetano friendship won't affect SEA Games probe - Palace

Preparations for the hosting of the Games is led by private group Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), which is chaired by Cayetano, Duterte's losing running mate in the 2016 elections.

While the Games have yet to formally open, the Philippines has already drawn flak over its handling of the regional sports tournament due to reports of unfinished venues, inadequate food supply, transportation woes, and accommodation issues.

Duterte then appealed for calm on Thursday as the Philippines gears up for the Games’ opening, and urged the public to refrain from creating a "firestorm" over the event.

"If you're a reasonable man, of which I am calling everybody upon, do not create a firestorm now because we are in the thick of preparations.," he told reporters in Malacañang.

"Let us investigate after and I assure you, I will investigate," he added.

• Palace to probe SEA Games hosting mess

Duterte said the military appeared to be better at handling preparations for the Games, in terms of logistics.

"Kaya next time itong mga ganun (Next time we host), the military will handle it kasi ang (because the) military [is] structural. They are better organizers," the President said.

Duterte clarified that he was not investigating Cayetano but was simply trying to understand how the budget for the SEA Games was used.

"I'm not investigating Cayetano. I'm just trying to find out because the money might not have been properly disbursed," he said, noting that Cayetano has the right to be heard.

Cayetano had downplayed criticism of the SEA Games hosting, attributing the problems to budget delays.

Once the Games are done, the President said he would ask retired government auditors and prosecutors to handle the Palace's investigation.

Malacañang had acknowledged mishaps pointed out by critics, saying PHISGOC "should perform better services expected of them."

"The critics have a point. There is indeed something wrong with the preparations," Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.