MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission, with more than enough money in its pocket, yesterday gave away over P1.8 million in cash incentives to deserving athletes.
Chairman Richie Garcia of the PSC, however, clarified that the amount is not part of the Incentives Act otherwise known as Republic Act 9064.
“This is not part of the Incentives Act but from the savings of the PSC,†said Garcia before handing out the awards at the PSC Canteen.
The PSC chief said this should not set a precedent that any athlete who wins in any international competition can claim incentives.
Under RA 9064, only victories in the Olympics, Asian Games or any quadrennial World Championships and the SEA Games are in the list.
It all depends on the PSC if it wants to give cash incentives to athletes that win medals or bring honor to the country in events other than what is stated in the law.
“It all depends of the cash balance (cash flow) of the PSC. Hanggang kaya (As long as we can),†said Garcia.
Leading the recipients of the cash bonuses are members of the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team that recently placed second behind mighty Iran in the FIBA-Asia Championship.
The Gilas players won the hearts of the Filipinos for their gallant effort that included a historic win over South Korea. The Filipinos earned a ticket to the 2014 World Championship in Spain.
The Gilas team received P1 million as a group. The team is made up mostly of millionaires and reports said they received P1 million each from their chief patron Manny V. Pangilinan after the successful stint in the FIBA event.
Also receiving incentives were the gold and silver medalists in the recent Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China, the Putra Cup Golf Championship, the Asian Muay Thai Championship and boxers that won in recent international competitions.
Others got P75,000, P50,000 and P25,000.