President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a review of the financial support provided to Filipino athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, following complaints from members of the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday that the government would establish what happened and determine whether lapses occurred in providing assistance to the athletes.
“Unang-una, papa-imbestigahan po ito para malaman natin kung ano ba iyong naranasan ng ating athlete, mga ating manlalaro,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
The review followed disclosures by Alas Pilipinas Men captain Bryan Bagunas about the team’s financial difficulties before and during its Asian Games campaign. Bagunas said some players had not received their regular allowances since July and had borrowed money to cover transportation costs for training.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) subsequently apologized to the national athletes and acknowledged that some players had shouldered their own expenses and, in some cases, borrowed money. The federation said its efforts to address their needs had not been enough.
Castro said Malacañang would first establish the facts before determining who may be responsible for any shortcomings.
“Hindi po kasi gusto ng ating Pangulo na iyong mga nagre-represent sa ating bansa ay sila pa ang nahihirapan. Dahil parang hindi tumutugon ang gobyerno sa pangangailangan nila. Ayaw-na-ayaw po iyan ng Pangulo,” she said.
She said the review would examine the athletes’ accounts, identify any gaps in assistance and determine whether the statements about their difficulties were accurate and supported by facts.
“Alam na naman din natin kung gaano pinahahalagahan ng ating Pangulo ang ating mga manlalaro. So ganito pong pagkakataon kinakailangan itong pagtuunan ng pansin, kung saan may kulang, sino may pagkukulang at kung ang mga ibinibigay na mga ganitong pamamahayag ay tama at may basehan,” Castro said.
The Palace statement came as the Philippine contingent competes in the ongoing Asian Games, which run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Aichi-Nagoya. The Philippines sent athletes to compete in 38 of the 47 sports programmed for the Games.
Castro said officials who are found to have abused their authority, particularly in relation to funds intended for athletes, should be held accountable.
“Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso,” she said.
Asked whether officials would be held accountable if the investigation confirms that athletes were neglected, Castro said they should face consequences.
“Dapat lang po. Lahat po ng umaabuso sa kapangyarihan, lalo na kung may isyu tungkol sa pondo, hindi sila dapat na maging masaya kung sila man ay nakalamang, dahil papanagutin sila,” Castro said.
She added that the President’s priority was to ensure Filipino athletes receive adequate assistance while representing the country.
“Pero ang tinitiyak lang natin ay ayaw ng Pangulo na ang ating mga manlalaro ay hindi nabibigyan ng sapat na ayuda,” Castro said.
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