P510M more sought for PH Olympians
Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino is confident that Filipino athletes would end the country’s Olympic gold medal drought in Tokyo that he’s asking Congress to spend money for the cause. In a House budget hearing on Thursday, the lawmaker asked for an additional funding of P510 million for the Philippine Sports Commission, to be allotted mainly for elite national athletes.
Cavite Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino argued on Thursday for a P510-million attachment to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) budget to be spent primarily for elite athletes.
His reason?
“Tokyo could be that host city where the country could win not one, not two, but probably more Olympic gold medals in 2021,’’ said Tolentino, also the president of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), during the budget hearing at the House of Representatives.
“And along this line, the athletes need all the support in their bid to accomplish what has never been achieved before,’’ he added during the plenary session presided by Rep. Conrado Estrella III, the former chair of youth and sports.
Already approved by the Department of Budget Management was the P207 million intended for the PSC’S operations and salaries of its personnel.
The additional budget Tolentino is seeking aims to arm Filipino Olympians, and those still seeking to qualify, with the necessary training and preparation to finally hunt down that elusive gold medal in the Summer Games.
Originally scheduled this year, the Olympics was moved to July 23 next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and will run until Aug. 8.
The supplementary budget will also pay for Filipino participation in Olympic qualifying tournaments and the country’s stint in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam next year.
“The PSC needs the full support of Congress—the House and Senate—because 2021 is the year when the Olympic gold medal beckons,’’ Tolentino said. “I am confident that the elusive gold medal will be achieved in Tokyo.’’
According to PSC Chair William Ramirez, out of the P510 million additional budget, P150 million will be allocated for the Tokyo campaign while P100 million will go to the participation in the SEA Games.
“The SEA Games is a top priority as we defend the overall title, which we achieved during our hosting of the Games last year,’’ Tolentino said.
PSC executive director Guillermo Iroy said the remaining P250 million will be allotted for the Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, Asian Youth Games, Asian Youth Para Games, SEA Para Games, Tokyo Paralympics and Asean Youth Games.
Tolentino is pinning high hopes on world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and recently turned pro boxer Eumir Felix Marcial as the brightest chances for the gold medal, along with rising pole vaulter Earnest John “EJ” Obiena.
Meanwhile, POC chair Steve Hontiveros sought an accounting of the body’s expenditure during last year’s SEA Games.
Incidentally, the POC is being asked to account for P482,038,488.25 procurement from the government for the 2019 SEA Games.
“It will be an issue [in the coming POC elections] no matter what you say,” Hontiveros said, “because there are people in the POC who are involved directly or indirectly.”
Tolentino is seeking reelection as POC chief this November.