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Malacañang will make its own investigation on the reason behind the government's supposed failure of recognizing and providing support to the Philippine dragon boat team, which will meet with President Benigno Aquino III on Friday. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Philippine dragon boat team, which won five gold and two silver medals in the 10th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Florida, will pay a courtesy call to President Aquino upon their arrival Friday morning. "We will be more than glad to see them (Philippine dragon boat team) here in the Palace," said Lacierda. "We are hoping to find out what really happened. We're asking for a briefer from the Presidential Management Staff on what really happened." "Since they are under the Philippine Sports Commission's (PSC) jurisdiction, we also asked on the dragon boat team's status. We're just looking at the details of what really transpired," he added. The Philippine dragon boat team is also not being recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), which is the mother organization of all national sports associations (NSAs) in the country. Because of this, the dragon boat athletes and coaches were not able to receive monthly allowances from the state-funded PSC. The team even failed to participate in last year's 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China due to lack of funding. Lacierda said the Aquino administration is proud of the dragon boat team and expressed hope that it would continue to set an example of excellence to Filipinos. Senator Pia Cayetano, on Tuesday, has already filed Senate Resolution 551 to find out why Philippine dragon boat team members are not recognized as national athletes. AFP proud Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Commodore Miguel Rodriguez also congratulated the Philippine Dragon Warriors for their achievements that brought pride and honor to the country and the Filipino people. Most of the members of the dragon boat team are the enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army. "We are proud of the contribution of our AFP athletes, who powered the Philippine dragon boat team to become world champions. This serves as inspiration for the entire AFP to give their best always, in whatever field they are in," said Rodriguez in a statement. "For having brought distinct honor to our country and people, appropriate awards shall be given upon the recommendation of their respective unit commanders," he added. – JVP, GMA News
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