MIXED martial groups, led by the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), have urged the government to focus its resources in strengthening the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) instead of creating a new government agency that will aupervise boxing and other professional sports.
URCC founding president Alvin Aguilar said there is no need to create a new commission for boxing and other contact sports since GAB is already doing its mandate to supervise and regulate professional sports.
Aguilar also noted the efforts of GAB, headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, during the pandemic.
Aguilar, also the president of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP), said GAB can very well perform the job to be assigned to the planned Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission.
“If you ask me, I don’t think there is still a need for a new boxing and other contact sports commission. The MMA community is satisfied with the performance of GAB despite its limited budget,” explained Aguilar.
Aguilar said the proposed P150-million budget being allocated to the PBCSC could also be “untimely considering the current health situation in the country due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.”
He suggested the budget could even be added to the annual budget of GAB, one of the top-performing agencies under the Office of the President which received a high mark from the Commission on Audit (COA).
“We also take note of GAB’s role during this pandemic. Chairman Mitra was responsive in helping professional boxers and combat sports fighters who were displaced and lost their livelihood during the lockdown,” explained Aguilar.
“With a minimal budget, GAB extended help to the needy athletes and coaches.”
Aguilar, however, thanked Sen. Manny Pacquiao for thinking about the welfare of professional athletes, especially boxers.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa MMA community sa mga malasakit ni Sen. Pacquiao sa boxing at combat sports. Malaki talaga ang naitutulong nya, bukod pa sa mga nai-ambag nyang karangalan para sa bansa” added Aguilar.
“But so far, we’re good with GAB. Maganda naman ang pamamalakad dito nina Chairman Mitra at Commissioners Ed Trinidad and Mar Masanguid at wala kaming nakikitang dahilan para magkaroon pa ng bagong commission.”
