MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Joel Villanueva on Monday called for an inquiry into reports that some national athletes have not received their allowances since July and have had to borrow money for transportation to training.
Villanueva raised the issue in a Senate manifestation after citing an interview with Alas Pilipinas men’s captain Bryan Bagunas, who said some teammates could not attend training because they had no money for transportation.
“Support should not begin with a medal. Support should be what comes before the medal,” he said.
Villanueva said Bagunas reported that some athletes had gone without allowances since July, forcing his teammates, many of them student-athletes, to help each other pay for transportation to training.
“Our athletes carry our flag and represent our country. They should not have to worry about transportation, food, allowances, and other basic needs just to report for training,” he said.
Villanueva said he had raised the matter with Sens. JV Ejercito and Bong Go and officials of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
He said the PNVF acknowledged shortcomings in supporting the team and that its leadership had made personal advances to cover urgent expenses.
“Personal advances cannot be the system,” Villanueva said, calling for timely release of allowances and adequate funding for training and competitions.
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has P110.437 million for the preparation, training and participation of Filipino athletes in international competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games, Villanueva said.
He said the reported lack of allowances should be examined at the upcoming PSC budget hearing, including how the funds are being utilized and whether support is reaching athletes on time.
He also said the Senate Committee on Sports, chaired by Go, could examine the support provided by national sports associations and identify gaps in the system.
“Medals are not won only on competition day. They are built during training,” Villanueva said. "The investment must come before the medal."
