DOING THE RIGHT THING
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 09 Aug 2013
News stories about high-profile athletes testing positive for anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs have resurfaced in recent days. This will remain a cause for concern in the years to come. The issue of drug testing has also been a source of unease for sportswriters and boxing insiders here in the Philippines and we ask ourselves if the people responsible for making policy and implementing the rules are doing enough to protect honest athletes from the cheaters.
I?m not the guy responsible for modifying and updating the rules for testing. I?m just a guy who makes suggestions when he has the chance and tries to write a coherent article every now and then.
But I also feel that more people should be compelled to speak about this issue. The ?powers that be? in our country should stop making COST as an excuse not to have more intensive drug testing. They should start considering COST vs RISK vs BENEFIT. We continue to host international events, not just in boxing, but in basketball, football and distance races. Are we doing enough to ensure a level playing field?
How sure are we that the cheating culture has not invaded our shores and no one has tried it locally when we never updated our testing procedures?
Boxing already has its inherent risks. Why wait until something tragic happens directly due to performance enhancing drugs? We also have to make certain that competent emergency medical personnel with the right equipment are available in both small and big fight cards. We owe it Karlo Maquinto, Romnick Dablo and Jog Alim.
It has become a tradition of mine here in philboxing to write an article about HIV/AIDS every first of December. I spent two years as a volunteer doctor treating AIDS patients in Africa and I know how bad it can get. I have made suggestions regarding regular HIV screening for our boxers and other full contact sports.
We should stop making cost as an excuse and consider the risks especially when AIDS cases in the Philippines are on the rise. But like I said, I am not the guy with the power to make guidelines, just one of the guys who receives indiscriminate blood splatter at ringside.
One of the things that I learned in Africa is that petty corruption and indifference can lead to the loss of lives. Anyone who has lived here in the Philippines also know that the noble acts of a few are smothered by the apathy and incompetence of the many.
Even the simple deed of being PUNCTUAL is a very difficult task for many of us.
Screaming to high heavens that we are proud to be Filipino when our athletes win is not enough. That is too shallow. Those who have the power to change things should do more and not just use our boxers and other athletes for photo-ops. We are still a long way from what our President has preached and aspired ? the straight and narrow path.
POST SCRIPT:
On a more personal note, my mother?s lingering illness got worse over the past week and I reflected on the conversations we had when I was a child about doing the right thing. She is getting better now and this article is dedicated to her.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026