PACQUIAO FILES BILL IN SENATE TO LOOK INTO THE SAD STATE OF COUNTRY'S SPORTS FACILITIES
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Mar 2018
Eight-division boxing champion now Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed Senate Resolution No. 688 directing the Senate Committee on Sports to conduct in aid of legislation an inquiry on the current sad state of the Rizal Sports Complex and other sports facilities in the country.
In sponsorship speech delivered last Tuesday, Pacquiao seeks the help of his fellow legislators in the Upper Chamber to address the lack of sustainable facilities, which, he said, is the reason that hinders the Filipino athletes in their quest for honor and fame for the country and themselves in the global arena, including the Olympics.
?We should not allow this lack of required facilities to continue. As legislators, we should contribute our best efforts in helping our athletes and sports officials achieve bigger dream,? the only man on earth to win world championships in the flyweight, super-bantamweight, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and super-welterweight, said.
?Filipinos have been making a mark in the global arena because of our unmistakable passion for sports,? he said. ?However, the state of the different sports facilities in the country shows that sports does not rank on the top of our priority list.?
Pacquiao stressed the need to correct the situation, sports being a necessary program for the development of the holistic health of the citizens. ?If Filipinos are known globally in sports despite the limitations, imagine the possibilities if we rectify the situation.?
?Mr. President, if we expect our athletes to excel in the global platform, we need to give more than what we have already given them,? the former two-time congressman asserted.
?Kailangn po nating magtulongan upang mabigyan ng tamang solusyon ang mga problema na pumipigil sa pag-arangkada ng pag-asenso ng ating mga atleta,? he said.
Pacquiao recalled that when he visited the 1934-built Rizal Memorial Sports Complex December last year, he was surprised seeing the same things that already existed when he used to train at the same place in the 1980s without improvement.
?Teen-ager pa lang ako noon, Mr. Prewident. Doon po ako nag-training ng boxing. Doon po nabuo ang aking mga pangarap,? he reminisced. ?Sira-sira na po ang aming mga gamit sa training at hindi na rin maayos and mga pasilidad.?
?Noong ako ay bumisita pagkatapos ng maraming taon, wala po akong nakitang improvements. Mas lalong kalunos-lunos ang kalagayan. Nakakalungkot,? he observed.
?Saan tayo nakakita ng world-class divers na sa kutson nagdidive? Ng world-class athletes na sa sira-sirang punching bag sumusuntok? Nagtitiis sa mga sira-sira at bulok na mga pasilidad and mga nais magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bayan.?
?Yet we aspire for that Olympic gold. Pababayaan na lang ba natin na mas lalong mabulok and pasilidad? Pababayaan na lang ba natin ang ating mga atletang magtiyaga sa init at kalawang kahit na iniaalay nila ang kanilang sarili para sa karangalan ng ating bansa?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026