Complaints over financial support for Filipino athletes have reached Malacañang after members of Alas Pilipinas Men, the country’s national men’s volleyball team, reportedly went months without regular allowances, leaving some players borrowing money just to get to training while representing the country at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
President Bongbong Marcos. ordered an investigation into the support provided to national athletes following complaints raised by Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas. Bagunas said players had not received their regular allowances since July, forcing some to borrow from teammates and other people to cover transportation costs for training.
The Volleyball PH has apologized and acknowledged that some players had shouldered expenses and borrowed money. The federation also admitted that its efforts to address the athletes’ needs had fallen short.
The complaints reached Malacañang while the Asian games were underway in Japan. The Philippine News Agency reported that concerns raised by Bagunas included players using their own money to buy food during the Games.
“Unang-una, papa-imbestigahan po ito para malaman natin kung ano ba iyong naranasan ng ating mga athlete, mga ating manlalaro,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Monday.
The government will examine where support fell short and whether any sports official was negligent or mishandled funds intended for athletes. Castro said authorities must establish the facts before assigning responsibility.
“Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso,” Castro said.
The investigation will determine what happened, where shortcomings occurred and whether support intended for athletes representing the Philippines was properly delivered.
