MANILA – All people and entities pledging incentives to those excelling in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics must be true to their word, according to Negros Occidental’s former amateur boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.
A silver medalist in boxing 25 years ago in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, several incentives were promised him.
However, according to Velasco, he has yet to receive them.
“Sana matupad nila lahat ng pinangako nila,” the Bago City native. “Kasi magiging inspirasyon ‘yan para sa mga kabataan natin na magpursige lalo pa at ganun pala kalaki ang binibigay.”
The incentives promise d Velasco included P2.5 million by Congress, a house and lot and a scholarship pledged by the Philippine Navy to his two children.
One businessman who pledged a lifetime allowance of P10,000 a month also stopped after a year, said Velasco.
“Hindi ko talaga natanggap lahat kaya ginagawa na lang naming joke joke ‘yun,” Velasco said in an interview with GMA 7’s 24 Oras. “Pinangakuan ka na, gusto mo tuparin pa. Dapat matuwa ka na kasi pinangakuan ka na eh.”
Velasco’s statement came after Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was showered with cash incentives as well as lifetime pledges after delivering the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, Japan.
Diaz is expecting to receive P10 million each from the national government, San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang and MVP Sports Foundation’s Manuel V. Pangilinan, P5 million from businessman Dennis Uy, P3 million each from President Rodrigo Duterte and 1Pacman Partylist’s Rep. Mikee Romero, and P2.5 million from the Zamboanga City government.
Diaz was also promised a P14-million condominium from Megaworld, fully furnished house and lot in Zamboanga City from President Duterte, P4-million house and lot from Century Properties, house and lot in Tagaytay courtesy of Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, lifetime free flights from AirAsia, and 80,000 free miles per year for life from the Philippine Airlines.
Meanwhile, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said Velasco can still demand for his incentives from the government, if he really has not received them yet.
“Basically, Republic Act 9064 provides that he can get P1.25 million,” Angara said. “If less than P1.25 million then entitled siya the rest of the amount to make up P1.25 million. He can demand it from the Philippine Sports Commission.”/PN
