Our world-class athletes deserve world-class support
If there are systems and best practices that are working, let us learn from them, strengthen them, and determine how these can be replicated to raise the standard of Philippine sports as a whole.
We take pride in every Filipino athlete who waves our flag in the international arena. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am proud of the milestones that our athletes bring home no matter how challenging international competitions are. The achievements of the Philippine Team in the recently concluded 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, showed us again what Filipino athletes can accomplish.
However, behind every triumph lies a question of whether these athletes receive support that matches the expectations placed upon them. We cannot demand world-class performances from our athletes if we do not provide them with world-class support.
Recently, during the Senate hearing on 8 October, we called for stronger government support for our athletes following the Philippines’ campaign in the 2026 Asian Games, which I personally witnessed when I went there to give moral support to our national team. Our message is clear: public funds should prioritize projects that provide genuine benefits to our fellow Filipinos in the sports sector.
As a senator, my role is to push for laws and policies that will allow different institutions to perform their mandates effectively, while exercising oversight to ensure that government support ultimately reaches and benefits our athletes.
The Philippine Sports Commission is the primary agency of the national government in charge of sports. It provides government support and resources for the development of our athletes and national sports programs.
Furthermore, the Philippine Olympic Committee leads our participation in the Olympic movement and coordinates the country’s representation in major international competitions.
Lastly, our various National Sports Associations are directly responsible for developing their respective sports, selecting and preparing national teams, and ensuring that our athletes receive proper training and competition opportunities.
As an athlete and sports enthusiast myself, I always urge all stakeholders to prioritize our athletes’ preparation, equipment, and morale. Our athletes should only focus on their training and competitions without having to worry about anything else. It is also very essential that athletes get government support at the grassroots level.
Central to our grassroots sports advocacy is the National Academy of Sports, established through Republic Act 11470, which we authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS combines secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum to allow promising young athletes to develop their athletic abilities without sacrificing their studies.
I have also consistently backed funding for the rehabilitation of PhilSports and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, as athletes need proper training environments if the country expects them to compete successfully at the international level.
Also, since I became chairperson of the Committee on Sports in 2019, the Philippines has won its first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and secured two gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, bringing our country’s total to three Olympic gold medals.
We consider every tournament a way to learn and improve. If there are systems and best practices that are working, let us learn from them, strengthen them, and determine how these can be replicated to raise the standard of Philippine sports as a whole.
To all the athletes, I assure you that we are here to listen and to help strengthen our laws and policies so that government support truly reaches the athletes who need it.
Meanwhile, on 9 October, we personally attended the 66th National Convention of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Board, Inc. at Dusit Thani Hotel Davao. We expressed our gratitude to real estate professionals for their important role in the development of our communities and economy.
Last week, our Malasakit Team extended assistance to families affected by fires in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan; Talisay City, Cebu; and Tibiao, Antique. Our team likewise provided assistance to fellow Filipinos in need in Bacoor City, Cavite; Angeles City, Pampanga; and Malolos City, Bulacan.
In addition, educational assistance was distributed to beneficiaries in Antipolo City, Baras, Cardona, Morong, Pililla, Tanay, Jalajala, Teresa, Montalban, and San Mateo in Rizal province as part of our continued commitment to supporting young Filipinos who are working hard to pursue their education.
As Mr. Malasakit and an athlete myself, our objective is simple: Build a sports system where the government and the private sector are working together for the benefit of our athletes. I will continue to push for more laws and initiatives that would help our Filipino athletes right from the grassroots level because my passion is serving others, and I believe that serving the people is serving God.