PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into the lack of financial support to Filipino athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after the financial woes of Alas Pilipinas teams came to light.
The Palace wants to determine what happened after Alas Men captain Bryan Bagunas revealed that some of his teammates had not received their regular allowances since July, forcing some to borrow money simply to cover transportation to and from training.
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“Unang-una, papa-imbestigahan po ito para malaman natin kung ano ba iyong naranasan ng ating mga athlete, mga ating manlalaro,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.
The financial strain followed the team to the Asian Games, where Bagunas said players sometimes had to spend their own money for meals when training schedules caused them to miss the hotel’s designated meal periods.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has since apologized, acknowledging that some athletes were forced to shoulder expenses and borrow money while admitting that its efforts to address their needs had fallen short.
Castro said the Palace will determine where the shortcomings occurred and whether the complaints raised by the athletes were properly grounded.
“Alam na naman din natin kung gaano pinahahalagahan ng ating Pangulo ang ating mga manlalaro,” she said.
“Sa 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.”
Should the investigation establish that sports officials abused their authority or mishandled funds, Castro said those responsible should be held accountable.
“Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso,” she said.
“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.”
The Palace review comes as Alas Men continue their Asian Games campaign, with the players’ complaints now prompting a broader government look into how Filipino athletes are being supported while representing the country.
“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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