Palace orders probe into alleged lack of support for PH athletes in Asiad

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants an investigation into reports of inadequate financial support and other difficulties allegedly experienced by Filipino athletes competing in the ongoing Asian Games in Japan, particularly members of the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said complaints raised by Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas, including reports that players had at times used their own money to buy food during the Games, should be examined to determine whether there were lapses in government support.

“Kinakailangan po itong pagtuunan ng pansin, saan may kulang, sino ang may pagkukulang, kung ang mga ibinibigay na ganitong pamamahayag ay tama at may basehan (This needs to be given attention, where the gaps are, who is at fault, and whether these statements being made are accurate and have a basis),” Castro said in a Palace briefing Monday.

Castro said authorities must first establish what happened before drawing conclusions about the complaints.

“Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso, pero hindi po tayo magbibigay sa ngayon ng anumang kongkretong komento patungkol po diyan hangga’t hindi natin nalalaman kung ano ang puno't dulo ng mga pangyayaring ito (If it turns out to be true and there was abuse, those responsible should be held accountable, but we will not give any concrete comment for now until we know the full circumstances of what happened)” Castro said.

She said Marcos does not want Filipino athletes representing the country to be left without adequate assistance.

Asked what the President would do if the complaints were confirmed, Castro said an investigation would be conducted to establish the athletes’ actual experiences and determine whether government support had been properly delivered.

“Unang-una, papaimbestigahan po ito para malaman natin kung ano ba iyong naranasan ng ating mga athletes (First, this will be investigated to find out what our athletes experienced),” Castro said.