Chino Trinidad to focus on fighter health and safety if appointed as GAB Chairman

Veteran journalist Chino Trinidad would like to prioritize fighter safety should he get appointed as the next Games and Amusements Board chairman.

Trinidad, a former Philippine Basketball League (PBL) commissioner, believes it is high time for the government body to take another look at the country’s prizefighting landscape — citing that he is a witness to what is lacking in boxing throughout the years.

“In the midst of all the storytelling, I came to understand their struggles and how they carry themselves to victory, and what is lacking,” Trinidad said in an interview on Sparring Sessions.

“All I can say is I am not the best, not the most famous, nor do I have the most backers. But in my heart I to serve the nation is through the redevelopment of professional sports.”

Trinidad was one of the names that floated as the Marcos admin looks at the names of potential candidates that would take the helm of GAB. Though hesitant at first, Trinidad ultimately gave in and applied for the job earlier this month.

“When I was asked to apply for GAB chairman, I told myself it is a headache. It took me two days when I realized how big of a role GAB has in professional sports. From there I had a change of mind and started to study the roles of GAB,” he shared.

One of the founding members of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Trinidad stressed there is much work to do in the entire Philippines professional sports scene. He, however, is hellbent on not having fatalities in pro boxing again under his watch.

“I will not allow the cases of Eugene Barutag, Karlo Maquinto, and Lito Sisnorio to happen again. That is all I can say to you.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News