House members urged everyone to support and enjoy the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games by cheering for the country’s athletes and documenting their efforts and sacrifices instead of dwelling on the criticisms against its preparations.
Rep. Eric Martinez (2nd District, Valenzuela City) and Rep. Jericho Jonas Nograles (Party-list, PBA), chairman and vice chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development, respectively, issued the appeal during the Ugnayan Forum held at the House of Representatives.
Nograles said allowing criticisms to affect the spirit of the SEA Games will not be beneficial to Filipino athletes.
“We have an opportunity to step up as a nation.”
“Yung performance ng mga athletes matatamaan. We have an opportunity to step up as a nation. I just want to support the spirit of the competition,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker also stressed that Speaker Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairperson, has the full support of House members.
Martinez expressed confidence that Filipino athletes have a strong mental fortitude to overcome against all odds.
The legislator urged everyone to unite for the Filipino athletes and support them in their quest for glory in the SEA Games.
“Heroes will be born these next two weeks.”
“They are our heroes… heroes will be born these next two weeks. So, it’s up to us to document them, their efforts, their sacrifices,” the lawmaker said.
Nograles said Martinez’s call was worth-heeding.
“I join the call of Congressman Eric Martinez, watch the games, enjoy the sports, and watch human glory unfold before your eyes,” he said.