CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Resolution commending and congratulating the members of the Philippine delegation who have competed and won medals, placing the country as the 4th overall champion in the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand (Sponsor: Sen. Go)
Mr. President, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the good sponsor, the distinguished Chairperson of the Committee on Sports, Sen. Bong Go, commending and congratulating our national athletes, coaches, and the entire Philippine contingent to the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand held from 20-26 January 2026.
Our gallant flag-bearers successfully recorded the country’s best performance and biggest medal haul from the biennial multi-sports meet with 45 gold, 37 silver, and 52 bronze for a total of 134 medals – effectively uplifting Philippines’ 4th place finish, our highest placement in the regional showcase.
Through the years since the ASEAN Para Games’ inauguration in 2001, Team Philippines placed 8th, 7th, 6th, and 5th. Even during the edition when we hosted the regional event in 2005, we never went past fifth place ranking. So, the historic achievement of our para-athletes marks a significant milestone for Philippine sports.
Special mention to the para-athletics team for garnering a total of 38 medals, the chess contingent who collected 31 medals, para-swimming squad who clinched 30 medals, and para table tennis who bagged 10 medals.
Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for making the country proud with your sportsmanship, athletic excellence, and hard work.
Let me take this opportunity to persuade the good sponsor to conduct a public hearing and sponsor Senate Bill 474 filed by this representation which upgrades the incentives for our para-athletes and making them at par with the incentives of their able-bodied peers.
Under the current law, our paralympians and para-athletes who are able to secure first, second or third-place finish in international para-sports events will only be entitled to half of the cash incentives compared to Olympic, Asian, and Southeast Asian Games medalists. Dapat po ay maituwid na natin ito, at magkaroon ng pantay na pagkilala at pagpupugay para sa lahat ng atletang kumakatawan sa ating bansa at nagbibigay ng karangalan para sa mga Pilipino.
Again, my warmest congratulations! Kayo po ay tunay na inspirasyon sa lahat! Ipinagbubunyi ng buong bansa ang inyong tagumpay.
Salamat po, Ginoong Pangulo.