Marcos ‘embarrassed,’ vows to do all for Filipino athletes

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. admitted that the government lacks support for national athletes, but vowed to find ways to provide additional help for them.

Marcos said this on Wednesday in the Malacañan Palace as he led the distribution of incentives for Filipino medalists from the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia.

"With admittedly limited resources, we are always --- I am always a little embarrassed when I see that we are not supporting our athletes and our coaches and our trainers and all the support groups even the families," Marcos said.

"Considering the honor and the pride that you bring to the Philippines, it seems that it is not commensurate for the great service that you do to our country and to our people."

With this, Marcos said the government will look for ways to help the athletes more.

"Kaya’t gumawa kami ng paraan at gagawa kami ng plano na susuportahan natin lalo na basta’t Philippine Team na athletes at saka coaches, at saka trainers, at saka mga nutritionist at saka pati na ‘yung mga driver, lahat. Kasi kailangan niyo ‘yan," he said.

"Kaya’t asahan ninyo na sa administrayon na ito ay gagawin natin ang lahat para masuportahan natin at ipalabas natin ang kagalingan, ang husay ng ating atleta," Marcos added.

(We looked for ways and we will make a plan to support the Philippine team — from athletes, coaches, trainers, nutritionists, drivers, everyone. Because you need them. Expect that this administration will do everything to support and unleash the talent of our athletes.)

According to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos also doubled the incentives given to the athletes.

The SEAG and APG medalists will receive P49,706,250 in total cash incentives  under Republic Act 10699, which states that a SEAG individual gold medalist will receive P300,000, a silver medalist will get P150,000, and a bronze medalist will take P60,000 while APG medalists will receive half of this amount per medal.

During the SEA Games, the Philippines took home 260 medals built on 58 gold medals, 85 silvers, and 117 bronze while 117 medals were copped during the Para Games with 34 gold, 33 silver, and 50 bronze.

PSC chairman Richard "Dickie" Bachmann said Marcos' generosity will uplift the athletes, especially with the upcoming Asian Games next month and the Paris Olympics next year.

“President Marcos was pleased by the performance of our athletes, and we thank his generosity that would definitely boost the morale of our sports heroes," Bachmann said.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News