Gringo bats for Magna Carta for sports

Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan bared plans to file a bill creating a Magna Carta for Philippine sports and athletes as well to ensure continuity in the country’s sports programs and at the same time address the problems besetting RP sports.

“We need to have a Magna Carta for athletes that should be all- encompassing and comprehensive,” said Honasan, who met with the athletes, coaches and some sports officials yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“There, we expect to come up with a short-, medium- and long-term solution to the problems and concerns of all involved in sports,” he added.

Honasan also promised to re-examine R.A. 9064 or the athletes’ incentives act since there are some provisions there like discounts to the athletes and other privileges that are not being followed.

This came about after Dina Bernardo, a member of the national dragon boat team who heads the Philippine Olympic Committee’s athletes’ commission, cited some loopholes in the RA 9064.

“There are really some provisions in RA 9064 that need to be reviewed,” said Bernardo.

Also present in the meeting were Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and commissioner Richie Garcia.

It marked the second time that Honasan visited and talked to the athletes at the Rizal Sports Complex.

Concerns regarding athletes currently enlisted military personnel were also raised and brought up by Ottie Camangian, a former athlete, beach volley coach and now Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary-general.

“I’m a former athlete and military man myself and I hope the years served by an athlete would be considered as government service too,” said Camangian. – Joey Villar