Go comes to Onyok’s rescue

MANILA, Philippines — What happened to 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco will never again happen to Filipino athletes bringing pride, honor and glory to the country.

Sen. Bong Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, made the assurance after being reminded of the unfulfilled promises to Velasco for his silver-medal feat in the Olympics 25 years ago.

Go said he will make sure it will not happen to those who brought home medals from the Tokyo Olympics, including gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam of boxing, and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, also of boxing.

“Sa panahon ni Pangulong Duterte, binibigyan natin ng importansya, suporta at insentibo ang mga atleta natin lalo na yung mga nagtagumpay sa Olympics ngayon. Bigyan rin dapat natin ng karampatang pagkilala ang mga atleta nating katulad ni Onyok na nangangailangan ng tulong natin ngayon,” Go said.

Go has raised the issue before President Duterte and recommended that financial aid be given to Velasco to compensate for the unfulfilled obligations of various entities in the past. In response to his appeal, the Office of the President is currently processing the provision of financial assistance amounting to P500,000 for Velasco.

“Kapag may binitawang salita, dapat tuparin. Iyan po ang ugali namin ni Pangulong Duterte. Bagama’t nangyari naman ito more than 20 years ago at wala naman kaming kinalaman sa mga naipangako sa kanya noon, nais ko lang hanapan ng paraan na maresolba ito sa panahon ni Pangulong Duterte,” Go emphasized.

“Nakapagdala po ng honor si Onyok sa ating bansa. Napaglipasan lang po ng panahon ang ibang mga ipinangako sa kaniya. Kaya po ako nakikiusap sa gobyerno na mabigyan siya ng konting tulong bilang pagkilala rin sa kanyang accomplishment noon,” Go explained.

According to Velasco, whose older brother Roel delivered a bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he received pledges from various personalities upon his medal feat. But unfortunately, these were unfulfilled.

Velasco said in an interview last Friday he has yet to receive the P2.5 million pledge from members of Congress then, as well as scholarship grants for his children from another individual. An unnamed businessman also committed to provide him a monthly allowance of P10,000 for life, which was discontinued after a year, according to the boxer.

“Napag-alaman ko based sa records na naibigay naman ng gobyerno noon ang mga insentibo na dapat maibigay kay Onyok sa kanyang pagkapanalo. Kaya lang may mga ibang nangako na bukod pa sa dapat ibigay ng gobyerno na hindi ginampanan ang kanilang pangako,” Go explained.

Last Thursday, Malacañang announced that it would look into the possibility of providing incentives to the 47-year-old Olympic medalist. President Duterte previously assured Velasco that authorities would act on his grievances and offered to help resolve his claims with the individuals involved.

“Kawawa naman ang mga atletang Pilipino na halos nagbubuwis ng buhay upang mabigyan ng dangal ang ating bansa pagkatapos pinaasa lang. Marami ang nagsisikap at nanggaling pa sa malalayong lugar. Malaki ang kanilang sakripisyo kaya dapat suportahan natin sila hanggang sa huli,” said Go.