Senator Bong Go filed Senate Resolution No. 116 to commend and congratulate the Manila Muay Thai Team after their successful campaign in an international mixed martial arts tournament held in Sandakan, Malaysia.
Go began by reiterating the constitutional duty to support sports development.
As stated in the resolution, Article XIV, Section 19 of the Philippine Constitution affirms that “the State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry”.
The veteran legislator emphasized that the athletes gave pride to the Philippines when they represented the country abroad.
“The 7-man squad showcased exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship, bringing home a total of three (3) gold medals and three (3) silver medals.”
“The Manila Muay Thai Team proudly represented the Philippines in the recently concluded international mixed martial arts tournament in Sandakan, Malaysia; the 7-man squad showcased exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship, bringing home a total of three (3) gold medals and three (3) silver medals, thereby bringing honor and recognition to the country,” the seasoned lawmaker pointed out in the resolution.
The senator enumerated the victories that made the delegation’s achievement remarkable.
“The gold medal victories were led by Edemel Catalan, who won via unanimous decision, followed by Joemar Garcia with a split-decision triumph, and Manuel Christopher delos Reyes, who delivered a remarkable first-round knockout victory,” he noted.
The resolution also recorded the performances of other Filipino fighters who contributed to the medal tally.
“Three other Filipino fighters, Rene Catalan, Jr., Liane Marie Bautista Ardena, and Jerome Balualua, also contributed to the country’s medal haul by securing silver medals,” Go said.
For him, the triumph of the Manila Muay Thai Team carried significance not only for the athletes but also for the nation. Go stressed in the resolution that “the achievements of the Manila Muay Thai Team did not only highlight the talent and discipline of Filipino martial artists but also serve as an inspiration to all Filipino athletes and a source of national pride”.
“The team’s success is proof of the perseverance and discipline of the country’s sports community.”
Go, who has consistently pushed for greater support for Filipino athletes, said the team’s success is proof of the perseverance and discipline of the country’s sports community.
At the heart of this advocacy is the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored.
Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS offers a unique dual-track system that combines quality secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum, allowing young student-athletes to pursue academic excellence while developing their athletic talents.
Seeking to expand access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which aims to establish regional NAS campuses nationwide, with particular focus on Visayas and Mindanao.
These campuses are envisioned to provide full scholarships while maintaining the academic and athletic standards of the main campus to ensure equitable development of sports talent across the country.
He has also advanced complementary measures. Go filed SBN 407, which seeks to amend RA 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to ensure inclusive incentives for para-athletes.
In addition, he filed SBN 413, or the Philippine National Games bill, which institutionalizes a nationwide grassroots sports competition that serves as a recruitment platform for National Sports Associations. Meanwhile, SBN 678, or the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, seeks to formalize a national collegiate multi-sport tournament to nurture and showcase athletic talent at the tertiary level.
As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, underscoring his belief that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential to their success.
Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, Go has overseen a historic era for Philippine athletics. Under his watch, the country clinched its first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and followed it up with a groundbreaking twin gold victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics–a feat never before achieved in the nation’s sporting history.
He earlier filed similar resolutions commending Alex Eala as well as other Filipino athletes for their exemplary performances which brought honor to the country.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, he continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” Go earlier said.
