Cayetano questions funding boxing commission amid pandemic

Senator Pia Cayetano on Tuesday questioned a measure that seeks to fund a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission at a time when the country is cash-strapped due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Senate session, Cayetano quizzed Senator Manny Pacquiao, the author of Senate Bill No. 2077, over funding a new government office intended to focus on boxing and other combat sports.

Pacquiao, a Filipino boxing champion, underscored the need to create a commission that will promote boxing as a Filipino sport and provide health benefits and pension for retired boxers.

He cited that he knows a lot of boxers who retired without pension.

However, Cayetano questioned funding another sports commission for boxing, when there is already the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

"We understand his honor's (Pacquiao) sentiment and passion but we have to base our decision on facts kaya kami humihingi ng facts kung saan nagkulang ang GAB," Cayetano said.

But Pacquiao argued: "We need to focus on boxing. GAB is regulating matches only. We want to focus on sports, especially boxing."

Asked about his estimated budget for the creation of the boxing commission, Pacquiao said: "It will cost P100 million to P150 million, around that [figure] to open offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao."

Cayetano was alarmed over the estimated budget, highlighting that the GAB, which regulates 20 sports, has a budget of only P120 million.

"Mr. President, kayo na nagsabi na there are 20 sports in GAB. P120 million budget tapos ang boxing P150 million so napakalaki na yun sa paghahati ng ibang sports," said Cayetano.

(Mr. President, you said it yourself that the GAB already covers 20 sports with a budget of P120 million. But now you want a P150-million budget for boxing. That would already be big if you divide it among the other sports.)

Cayetano said she does not see the need to create a separate office if the GAB has been fulfilling its mandate to support Philippine sports.

"Ano pagkukulang ng GAB para tanggalin yung isang sport na yun naman din talaga ang isa sa mga sport na pagkakaintindi ko inaalagaan nila?... Sabi ninyo (Pacquiao) naman wala namang pagkukulang," Cayetano said.

(Does the GAB have any shortcoming for us remove boxing under them and give it a separate office when, as I understand it, boxing is among the GAB's main priorities? You said GAB has not been remiss.)

The senator also advised that instead of funding a new office solely for boxing, the government can allot a retirement or pension fund for retired boxers.

"How have they been neglected? If you're talking about boxers na baka we can create a retirement fund for them now, today? I would love to support you, [but] to create another office is a big problem to me," Cayetano said.

"In this time of COVID is that a good use of P150 million pesos?" she added.

'Boxers dying'

The Filipino boxer further pushed for the approval of a sports commission for boxing for protection of boxers, citing that a lot of boxers have died without getting benefits.

"I hope you understand. A lot of boxers have already died. Not just one, twp, or three, including those I knew personally. They have all passed away," Pacquiao said in Filipino.

"Ang tanong, may nakuha ba silang benepisyo? Wala silang nakuhang benpisyo. Ayoko magsabi na baka against GAB. Pero yan po yung dahilan," the senator added.

(Did they get any benefits? No, they didn't. I don;t want to say anything against the GAB but that is the reason I wanted a new commission.)

But Cayetano pressed Pacquiao for more details on these boxers who he said had died.

"Give us the dates. I asked GAB, nobody died lately in the last few years," she said.

Cayetano clarified she also wanted to provide a safe environment for boxers but added that a budget as big as P150 million should be put to better use.

"Definitely, I want our boxers to be safe but I'd like that 150 million to be put in good use especially during the time of covid," she said. -MDM, GMA News