The hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports, to discuss the provisions of Senate Bill No. 193 and Senate Bill No. 805. The bills, sponsored by Senator Manny Pacquiao, seek the creation of a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission which the “Pacman” said will help Filipino professional boxers and martial artists.
The first hearing was done March 05, when Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated his commitment to support moves to uplift the welfare of professional boxers and combat sports and the Filipino athletes in general.
Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra expressed his concern that the new commission will be redundant since GAB regulates and supervises professional sports in the Philippines, which includes boxing and other combat sports, including Mixed Martial Arts.
During the first hearing, Team Lakay CEO Mark Sangiao proposed that the travel tax for the athletes should be free. It was on the second hearing that Senator Manny Pacquiao notes what Sangiao proposed about the travel tax for the athletes to be supposedly free.
Sangiao says that he appreciates the concern of the senate for the athletes. The best thing we want is that there will be more Manny Pacquiao and more successful athletes in the future.
“I know that you are the ones who can help us, you and also to our energetic chairman Abraham Mitra. I know you are doing your job in helping our athletes and for me, I am thanking you all for the things you’re doing for us,” said Sangiao.
“Like what Alvin Aguilar said, we also like here in Cordillera that if Senator Pacquiao wants Philippines to be the center of Combat Sports, we also like it here in Benguet,” Sangiao added.
