Romualdez apologizes to PH athletes who faced tough start

Paris Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas pose for photos with lawmakers during the Congressional Reception for the Philippine delegation. (Gabriel P. Lalu/ INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday apologized to Filipino athletes, particularly to his fellow Leyte native Aira Villegas, for the hardships they faced before going to the Olympics.

In his speech at the Congressional Reception for members of the Philippine delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Romualdez thanked the athletes for making the country proud and acknowledged the need to give more support to sports by coordinating with athletes and sporting officials.

“We join the President. That was his message last night when we consulted him. We should coordinate with athletes and sporting bodies on how we can further improve. Because even myself, I know the situation endured by my fellow Tacloban native Aira Villegas who became a medalist despite the lack of resources,” he said in Filipino.

“I appeal for your understanding, Aira, because you really faced a tough road when you were starting, but you will see once we fly back to Tacloban how much you are appreciated and supported. So we thank you again for all of these,” he added.

Villegas bagged a bronze medal for the women’s 50-kilogram boxing event during the Paris Olympics.

Romualdez also said the House would review laws, particularly Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to check what provisions may need amending.

“This is the result of our collective effort, we can achieve anything…Here at Congress, we aim to help our athletes not only at the Olympics but nationwide. So we will conduct a review of our legislation, among others Republic Act 10699, the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits Incentives Act,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

“So we need to amend it to give more support to our athletes…I will ask our chairman, [Isabela 5th District Rep.] Mike Dy to conduct a review on how we can further improve the legislation to further support sports in the Philippines and to make the appropriate appropriations,” he added.

Romualdez also assured athletes that the House of Representatives would continue to support sports so that the country could develop more athletes like Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.

Last Aug. 5, Romualdez said Yulo’s successive victories at the 2024 Paris Olympics – a gold in the men’s artistic gymnastics final and another gold in the men’s vault finals – show the potential of the country’s athletes.

READ: Romualdez vows House to continue backing PH sports programs, athletes

READ: Gymnast Carlos Yulo gives PH its second Olympic gold 

During the Congressional Reception, copies of a consolidated resolution congratulating the Olympians were given, along with cash grants.

Yulo is expected to receive over P14 million after lawmakers decided to add P8,010,000 to the House’s initial grant of P3 million per gold medal.

Villegas and fellow bronze medalist Nesty Petecio, who competed in the women’s 57-kilogram boxing event, will get P2.5 million each from the House lawmakers.

Yulo and other athletes are also set to receive incentives from private companies and government corporations.

READ: Carlos Yulo will get P10M per Olympic gold medal – Pagcor

Last Aug. 6, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said it is mandated to provide a cash grant of P10 million per gold medal won at the Olympics. This means Yulo would get P20 million, Pagcor Chairperson Al Tengco said. With reports from Ysabel Escalona, trainee