March 1 - 15 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 29
Drilon vs Pacquiao over proposed boxing commission
Sen . Manny Pacquiao , a neophyte lawmaker , may be one the best boxers in the world with a wealth of experience fighting inside the ring .
On Tuesday night , however , he was in for a different fight — one that tested his skills as a legislator .
Pacquiao , who was coached by his legislative staff during the interpellation , defended his Senate Bill 1306 that seeks to create a Philippine Boxing Commission under intense questioning from Sen . Franklin Drilon , a former Senate president and veteran member of the chamber .
Drilon ’ s objection to SB 1306 stems from the necessity of creating another commission when its functions are already being performed by an existing agency .
When asked about the need to create a commission focused on boxing and other combat sports , Pacquiao said that the PBC would review and update rules and procedures related to the conduct of Philippine boxing .
He added that the PBC is meant to ensure that boxing in the Philippines conforms to international standards in the boxing and combat sports industry . It would also collect fees from licensing boxers and match promoters .
Drilon then asked if these functions were already being performed by the Games and Amusements Board , to which the boxer-turned-senator answered in the affirmative .
“ Yes , Mr . President ,” he said .
Drilon then asked about the purpose of creating a new body that will serve the same function .
“ The difference is this review and update of the rules and procedures related to professional boxing and combat sports are not in the GAB . And also establish linkages with international boxing organizations and institutions and agencies of foreign government in order to facilitate and ensure the participation of Filipino professional boxers ,” Pacquiao said .
This answer flustered Drilon who then recast his question .
“ Can we a clearer answer , Mr . President ? I ’ m sorry I didn ’ t catch the essence of the answer . The question is if these are the functions that are being performed by the Games and Amusement Board , why are we creating a new body to perform the same function ?” he asked .
Pacquiao retorted that his proposed commission would ensure that athletes were covered by insurance , health care and other medical benefits .
“ Sa dami ng namamatay na boksingero , Mr . President , kailangan na siguro natin aksyunan . Hindi na natin matanggap siguro kung may mga mamatay pang boksingero dahil sa
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kakulangan ng tutok at requirements para higpitan yung pag-require sa kanilang mga requirements especially when they [ are ] going to have match ,” he said .
Pacquiao also clarified that he was not saying that GAB was inefficient but that the board has not taken action on accidents and deaths in boxing .
He also asserted that focusing on boxing and other combat sports would be difficult for GAB because it was tasked to oversee 22 sports .
“ I don ’ t think matutukan nilang mabuti itong boxing and other combat sports . Marami na tayong namatay na boksingero , marami ng nadisgrasya ,” he said , even citing at one point the case of a friend of his who died because of boxing .
At one point , Sen . JV Ejercito , sitting as presiding officer , had to clarify to Pacquiao the point Drilon was driving at .
Ejercito said : I think ang tanong niya , “ Kaya naman yata gawin ng GAB ang pagmonitor ng mga atleta .”
It was at this point when Pacquio drew from his experiences as a boxer to emphasize the plight of boxers and other combat
By : Julian Ray Fortaleza
Answers from last week ’ s issue
1 . There are currently 12 UFC Champions . 2 . Martina Hingis was only 16 during her first major championship 3 . Dave Ritchie scored the first goal in the NHL ’ s first season
New Questions sports athletes in the country .
“ I know your point . I ’ m a boxer . I ’ m an athlete . I feel and I know how hard boxing and combat sports are in training , in preparation , in the fight ,” he said . “ A lot of boxers have died until now there is no action . Why ? It ’ s only 154 only working in GAB and also they are handling more than 20 sports . I think this is the right time to create a new commission for Philippine boxing and other combat sports .”
Pacquiao then vowed to fight for his measure . “ I ’ m willing to fight this bill to have a boxing commission in the floor , because I know , I ’ m a boxer and I know what is the feeling of being a boxer being athlete sa combat sport . I hope the gentleman won ’ t get offended by this boxing commission .”
Drilon answered and said that deliberations of issues were a regular feature of debates at the Senate . He added that they made decisions as a collegial body .
Drilon is the minority leader in the Senate , a post he got after Pacquiao moved to have him and other Liberal Party senators ousted from the majority .( A . Morallo , PS )
Lady Eagles extend winning streak to seven games
Ateneo ’ s Katrina Tolentino and Isabel De Leon joined forces to block the spike of Marivic Meneses of University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Women ’ s Volleyball Tournament at the Fil-Oil Flying V Center in San Juan City on Wednesday . PHOTO BY BOB DUNGO JR .
Ateneo de Manila University survived the pesky University of Santo Tomas ( UST ) side in three straight sets , 25-10 , 26-24 , 28-26 , to stretch its winning streak to seven games in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines ( UAAP ) Season 79 women ’ s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Fil-Oil Flying V Center in San Juan City .
Jho Maraguinot and Bea De Leon powered the Lady Eagles with 12 points each to claim their eighth win against one loss to stay on top of the standings .
K a t To l e n t i n o and Michelle M o r e n t e finished with 10 points apiece for the Lady Eagles .
“ C o a c h Thai [ Bundit ]
always tells us to apply what we have learned during our practices and in our recent training camp ,” said Maraguinot in a postgame interview .
The Katipunan-based squad dominated the Tigresses in the first set by notching eight straight points , 20-6 , then Morado finished the set with an attack from the back row .
But UST showed some fight in the second set and pushed the Lady Eagles to their limits before the latter held on for a 26-24 set win .
Ateneo was poised to win the game early after erecting a 23-18 lead but UST fought back and even grabbed a 25- 24 lead .
EJ Laure ’ s hit went wide , allowing the Lady Eagles to tie the game at 25-all .
Ateneo ’ s Ana Gopico had an ace and Morente sealed the game with another attack .
“ I guess we have relaxed a bit but we ’ re happy to win again ,” added Maraguinot .
Cherry Rondina had 14 markers while Laure and Meneses combined for 17 points for UST , which fell to 5-4 to join University of the Philippines , Far Eastern University and National University in a four-way tie .
In the first game , the Lady Maroons snapped their four-game losing skid after beating University of the East , 25-14 , 18-25 , 25-15 , 25-10 .
Diana Carlos finished with 21 points , 15 coming off the attacks , four aces and two kills while Kathy Bersola scored 18 points in 15 spikes .
Isa Molde contributed 16 points while Arielle Estranero
had 42 excellent sets for the Lady Maroons .
UP improved its record to 5-4 while the Lady Warriors ’ dropped to 1-8 .
Shaya Adorador had 11 attacks out of her 12 points followed by Roselle Balitoon , who chipped in eight points on top of her 25 non-scoring excellent sets for UE . ( J . R David , MT )
1 . What is the record for most wins while retiring undefeated in boxing ? 2 . Who is the reigning WBC welterweight champion ? 3 . Who is the NBA all-time points leader ?