Several Filipino senators have reportedly extended their support to Filipino athletics, pledging at least ₱30 million to the current 15 qualified individuals heading to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, adding to the previous ₱500,000 allowance disclosed by Sen. Bong Go.
Chairman Richard Bachmann of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) mentioned that the bulk of “additional funding” was allocated by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, noting commitments from Sen. Bong Go, alongside other legislators.
“₱23 million is only from Sen. Risa. Sen. Bong Go has a figure already, may additional siya. There’s also additional from other senators direct to the athletes already na pinasa lang sa PSC. Siguro mga P30 million plus,” Bachmann said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
(The ₱23 million came solely from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, though Sen. Bong Go has an additional figure in mind. Additional donations from other senators were directly passed to the PSC, which totals to more than ₱30 million.)
According to the Philippine Star, the ₱30 million pledge is separate from the PSC Golf Cup initiative at Laguna’s Canlubang Golf and Country Club on June 14, 2024, which all proceeds are delegated toward the country’s athletes.
The country’s current 15 Filipino Olympians consist of boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, and Hergie Bacyadan, fencer Sam Catanta, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung-Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, rower Joanie Delgaco, and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando, and John Ceniza as of writing, noting the possibility of it increasing to 19 across swimming, athletics, judo, and shooting, among others.
