Cayetano, Pacquiao spar anew on boxing sports commission bill

Senator Pia Cayetano on Tuesday again questioned the proposed Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission boxing champion Senator Manny Pacquiao had been pushing in the Senate.

Under the measure, the commission will promote boxing as a sport as well as provide pension and health benefits for retired athletes in boxing and other combat sports.

Cayetano in the plenary deliberations questioned "singling out" boxing and combat sports to be promoted and given benefits by commission when other athletes in other sports also suffered injuries.

"I can also pinpoint many other athletes na natigil ang career so may responsibility din tayo sa kanila. We also have responsibility to these other athletes. That's why I have a problem singling out a single sport," said Cayetano.

"Can his honor not expand the generosity of his heart to include other athletes?" she added.

Highlighting that boxing is a "unique" sport, Pacquiao explained that boxing requires more effort and training and it is more dangerous compared to other sports.

"Only boxing is included because I believe that this sport, delikadong delikado sa training, ang intention kasi is to hurt each other. Yun ang sport kaya kakaiba," he said.

Cayetano clarified that she "understand" Pacquiao's passion for boxing but underscored that the data on injury for other athletes should also be looked at.

"We need to be data driven and data says there are other injuries for other sports. How can we ignore that? How can the good sponsor choose to turn a blind eye to other athletes who also get other injuries," she said.

Cayetano also took issue with putting up a commission that promotes boxing, which is a dangerous sport that creates injury among children.

"I point this out, because it would appear from the sponsorship speech that we want to promote boxing in the country and yet we know it is a sport that creates so much injury. I agree to protect pero i-promote it to a bigger sport, it is like inviting the children to the lion's den," Cayetano warned.

She even noted that Pacquiao, himself, has reservations on allowing his children to become boxers, citing that the sport may cause serious injuries.

Asked about his reaction, Pacquiao reiterated to his fellow senator that boxing is "unique," adding that there is a need to put up the commission.

"Itong boxing kasi combat sports your intention is to hurt, to pin down your opponent , which is a big difference to other sports kasi yung intention is to pin down the opponent. That is the intention so kakaiba itong sport na ito. We really need to establish this commission," he said.

The two legislators already engaged in a debate in the past about the same proposed measure.

Cayetano had questioned the funding of another sports commission for boxing, when there is already the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).  — BAP/NB, GMA News