Onyok, coach to receive incentives, 14 years later

Onyok, coach to receive incentives, 14 years later

OLYMPIAN Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco and his coach may soon get a long-overdue incentive, which should have been given them after the boxer settled for a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said he had already looked into this oversight after getting an inquiry from deputy house speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada (fourth district, Quezon).

“Hindi pa pala naibibigay ang incentive ni Onyok. Hindi lang kasi napa-follow up ito,” said Garcia during a radio interview.

Talks of Velasco’s forgotten cash incentives surfaced after the House Committee of Youth and Sports, co-chaired by Rep. Renato Unico and boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, scheduled discussions with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. on the status of its remittances to the government sports agency this week.

Garcia said he has already informed new PAGCOR chairman Bong Naguiat of the request for Velasco and his coaches’ delayed cash bonanza, which will amount to P2.7 million.

Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Today