Sen. Bongbong to politicians: exercise decency and propriety
in politics like Pinoy boxers in fights

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. has appealed to politicians as well as government officials to emulate Filipino boxers for their sportsmanship in order to have decency and propriety in politics.

Marcos aired his plea during the recent "14th Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde Boxing Awards Night: A Banquet of Champions" held at the Harbour Garden Tent, Sofitel Hotel" where he was the guest speaker.

"Kung tayong lahat, at maging kami na nasa pulitika, ay matututo lamang sa ating mga boksingero, siguro ay magiging mas maayos, mas marangal at mas mapayapa ang ating pamumuhay at ang ating pulitika sa Pilipinas. May disiplina, walang katiwalian, maayos at malinis ang pakikitungo sa mga tao, at walang mga bangayan at siraan," he said.

During the awards night, Marcos handed the trophies to "Boxers of the Year" awardees, namely; Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr., Donnie "Ahas" Nietes, John Riel "Quadro Alas" Casimero, and Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo. A representative from the Aldeguer Boxing Promotion accepted the trophy in behalf of Sabillo who was absent during the awards night.

Marcos said a lot can be learned from the local boxers, whom he thanked for being constant and consistent sources of great honor and pride to the Philippines.

He said the rules of discipline during actual fights inside the boxing ring provide lessons of obedience and dutifulness, courage, independence and self-reliance, ethics and fairness, and sportsmanship even in the face of fierce battle.

"Sa Filipino boxing, kahit nagkakasakitan na ang ating mga boksingero ay sisiguraduhin pa rin nila na mag 'touch-gloves' sa kanilang kalaban�at kadalasan pa nga ay nauuwi sa mga yakapan at halikan," Marcos said.

In his speech, he said government's support to Filipino boxers should be tangible and concrete right from the start and not only after they have already won.

And for the Filipino athletes as a whole, Marcos said, the assistance and recognition should be solid, substantial, significant, and timely.

"Ang aking punto ay dapat buo, makabuluhan at epektibo ang suporta ng gobyerno�Dapat sa umpisa pa lang ng pagsabak sa training ay nand'yan na ang ating gobyerno upang tumulong," Marcos said.

He noted that the government seems to have forgotten not only the tremendous honor given by athletes to the country, but also the enormous revenues pumped into the national economy as a result of their achievements.

Marcos said it is not enough that the politicians raise the hands of champion Filipino boxers during victory parades, but "the support must be existing and vigorous all throughout the entire journey of the athlete in his or her career."

He pledged to support all the legislative proposals in the Senate aimed at promoting the welfare of Filipino athletes.