By el Amigo
MANILA — The Senate is set to look into reports that national athletes have been struggling to meet basic expenses amid delays in financial support.
The issue surfaced after Alas Pilipinas Men captain Bryan Bagunas said some players had not received allowances since July and had to borrow money from teammates for transportation.
Sen. Joel Villanueva questioned the situation despite PHP110.437 million being earmarked for the Philippine Sports Commission’s athlete preparation, training and participation programs, including the 2026 Asian Games.
“If we expect our athletes to give their best, to give everything, ‘yung mantra natin na puso, to give their best for the Philippines, for our beloved country, then the Philippines must also give them the support they need to succeed,” Villanueva said. (If we expect our athletes to give their best and everything for the country, the Philippines must also give them the support they need to succeed.)
“Hindi po natin dapat hintayin na manalo muna sila bago natin sila susuportahan. The investment must come before the medal,” he added. (We should not wait for them to win before supporting them. The investment must come before the medal.)
Sen. Bong Go said: “Ang atleta natin dapat naka-focus sa kanyang paglalaro. Wala nang dapat isipin ‘yan kung ‘di maglaro lang.” (Our athletes should focus on competing and have nothing else to worry about.)
ia/xf
