‘Exiled’ First Gent assures SEAG bets of full support

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who opted to leave the country amid all the problems hounding the administration, yesterday assured the Filipino athletes of his continued support as they prepare for this year’s Southeast Asian Games in November.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez said he spoke to the First Gentleman over the phone yesterday morning and was told to continue supporting the athletes as planned and envisioned by the First Gentleman Foundation.

"He wanted the sports program to continue," said Ramirez who expressed full confidence that the private firms or individuals who pledged their support to the athletes would honor their commitment–not only on the First Gentleman but to the athletes and the entire country as well.

"I don’t expect any of these donors to back out of their commitment because of what’s happening right now. I don’t expect San Miguel Corporation to stop supporting the athletes. It’s not that type of a corporation," said the PSC chairman who just arrived from a one-week trip to China.

Ramirez visited Filipino athletes in swimming, weightlifting, diving and gymnastics who are training in different areas in China under the supervision of world-class athletes. More Filipino athletes from different sports will go to China for training that would last as long as two months.

The China trip is being funded by the FG Foundation which raised a total of P160 million from the private sector. Athletes from the 41 sports that will be played during the SEA Games will benefit from the "Gintong Medalya: May Laban Tayo" project of the First Gentleman.

"I cannot comment where he is right now but what’s important is that I was able to talk to him. He told me ‘Butch, tuloy-tuloy ang suporta sa athletes ha," said Ramirez.

Tessa Mangahas, the executive director of the FG Foundation, echoed the First Gentleman’s continued support of the national athletes.

"Walang naiiba sa set-up. Tuloy ang facilitation. Besides, things are already in place," she said.

Even Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Robert Aventajado was optimistic that despite all the controversies hounding President Arroyo and members of her immediate family, the private sector support on the national athletes will continue.

"The sports associations are dealing with their respective godfathers. And our position is that for as long as the athletes deliver as expected in their performances, the support will continue," he said, adding that it’s quite unfortunate to see the First Gentleman leave the country and go in "exile".

"This is a sudden twist of things and you cannot do anything about it. So we’re just hoping for the best," added the POC chairman.