Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday renewed his call for more support for grassroots sports, expressing what Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” N. Tolentino would have said on the Senate floor.
“If Bambol Tolentino will be allowed to speak right now, he will ask na sana yung nasa batas na pondo na galing PAGCOR ay mapunta na sa PSC at POC,” Cayetano said on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Cayetano’s remarks followed the filing of Senate Resolution no, 1156 which he co-authored with Senator Francis Tolentino commending the POC for its successful campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics under Mayor Tolentino’s leadership.
Cayetano said instead of being given accolades, Mayor Tolentino would want to prioritize the channeling of funds to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the POC.
In his sponsorship speech, Cayetano also expressed his gratitude to Tolentino and the Filipino athletes for bringing to the country.
“We thank the medalists; sila ang symbol of success ng ating [mga] atletang Pilipino,” he said.
“We’d also like to salute you and say from the bottom of our hearts, Bambol Tolentino, maraming maraming salamat sa’yo,” he added.
Concurrent with the filing of SRN 1156, Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano also filed SRN 1161 commending Mayor Tolentino for his leadership of the POC, particularly during a period of historic achievements for Filipino athletes in international competitions, including the Olympics.
The sibling senators emphasized that Tolentino’s guidance has been instrumental in the success of Filipino athletes on the global stage.
“POC President Bambol Tolentino should be commended for his strong leadership, helping steer our athletes to greatness,” they said in the resolution.
The senators also praised Tolentino’s service as POC President since July 28, 2019, noting that under his leadership, the committee successfully represented the Philippines in major international competitions.
The resolution highlights the historic milestones achieved during Tolentino’s tenure, including the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal won by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as the medal haul at the Paris 2024 Olympics where gymnast Carlos Yulo secured two gold medals and boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas each earned a bronze.
It was also under Tolentino’s watch that the Philippines reached its highest Olympic finish at the Paris Games, ranking 35th overall.
Additionally, the resolution recognizes the country’s athletic prowess at the 19th Asian Games in China in October 2023, where the Philippines brought home 18 medals, and at the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in 2022 where the Philippine team earned 260 medals – 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze.
“The excellent showing of Team Philippines in recent international competitions, especially in the recently-concluded Olympics, would not have been possible without POC President Bambol Tolentino’s leadership and guidance,” it wrote.