Press Release - Protecting sports integrity: Bong Go stresses alleged game-fixing taints the spirit of Filipino sportsmanship

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, has called for stronger measures against game-fixing, emphasizing that government intervention may be necessary to ensure the integrity of sports.

Proposed measures against game-fixing and also promoting professionalism in sports have been raised before the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports, joined with the Committee on Games and Amusement on Wednesday, February 7 which Go presided over.

"Kung mahaluan ng anomalya, pandaraya o maging korapsyon ang kahit na anong sport, madudungisan po yung larong mismong ini-enjoy ng kabataan. Mawawala na ang thrill eh kapag nahahaluan ng kalokohan. Madudungisan po ang imahe ng mga iniidolong sports champions ng ating mga kabataan," Go maintained in his opening statement.

According to Go, sports is an integral part of Filipino culture. It is already embedded in the Filipino's way of life. In fact, the Constitution mandated the State to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

"It is necessary to maintain and protect the integrity and sanctity of sports against dishonesty and corrupt practices such as game-fixing," Go stressed.

"Alam niyo, fans who put their hopes on an athlete or team to win believing in the spirit of fair play are cheated by scheming individuals who influence the games to produce a pre-determined result," he added further.

During the committee hearing, it was disclosed that the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) announced that they had flagged 47 players and team officials due to game-fixing. Other leagues have also stepped up efforts to protect the sanctity of their games.

"As a sports enthusiast and basketball aficionado, kinokondena ko ang ganitong pandaraya hindi lamang po sa basketball kundi pati na rin sa ibang sports. Nakakasira po ito ng tiwala ng ating mga kababayan sa sports at nagiging bahid ito sa imahe ng ating mga atleta," Go underscored.

"Game-fixing taints the spirit of Filipino sportsmanship. Dapat po mapanagot ang mga taong nagsasamantala sa pagiging passionate ng mga Pilipino sa sports.