Athletes’ retirement benefits: PSC set to release P1.83 M

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to release P1.83 million in “retirement benefits” to the first batch of former athletes who applied for such under Republic Act 9064 or the Incentives Act.

Retired cuemaster Antonio Gabica, who won the gold medal in 9-ball singles in the 2006 Asian Games, leads the group of 17 who can start claiming their checks.

Per RA 9064, a national athlete who wins in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, Olympics and quadrennial world championships are entitled to a lump sum equivalent to 25 percent of his total cash incentives computed from the start of his career to retirement.

Gabica is slated to receive P427,500 as retirement pay. He had earlier netted P1.7 million for his achievements.

Ex-boxers Joan Tipon and Violito Payla stand to get P287,500 and P252,500, respectively. Tipon copped the bantamweight mint in the SEA Games in Bacolod and the succeeding year’s Asiad while Payla ruled the flyweight division also in the Doha AG.

Also bound to get their retirement pays are Olympian boxer Harry Tañamor (P187,500), Busan Asiad 9-ball doubles champ Antonio Lining (P150,000), 2005 SEAG gymnastic gold winner Roel Ramirez (P106,834), and nine-time SEAG judo champion John Baylon (P100,000).

Seven other retired pugs – Mitchel Martinez (P40,000), Larry Semillano (P15,000), Juanito Magliquian Jr. (P37,500), Joegin Ladon (P27,500), Doha Asiad bronze medalists Genebert Basadre (P50,000) and Godfrey Castro (P37,500)  and Bill Vicera (P27,500) – are in the initial batch of recipients.

Rounding up the list are Olympian marathoner Roy Vence (P37,500), Bangkok Asiad bronze medalist Manel Ycasas (P25,000), and wushu artist Mary Jane Estimar (P25,000).

The retirement lump sum is sourced from the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp, which recently released the funding to the PSC.