Onyok Velasco might receive his Olympic incentives 25 years later

While Hidilyn Diaz and Nesthy Petecio getting rewarded for their Olympic wins are feel-good stories, it wasn’t always the case. There is no shortage of Filipino athletes who have been shortchanged despite their international triumphs.

One is Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco, who won a silver medal in boxing in the 1996 Atlanta Games. The former boxer once confided to taekwondo icon Monsour Del Rosario that he only received 50% of the government incentives that were promised after his win.

This, along with the lack of financial support, led Velasco to ditch a promising Olympic career for stints in showbiz. 25 years after his medal finish, Velasco might finally get what he is owed.

According to the Philippine News Agency, Malacañang is looking to give an incentive to Velasco, who was once set to receive 2.5 million from the House of Representatives in 1996. He was also awarded a house and lot, but has yet to receive the transfer certificate of title.

Per the report, Velasco did acquire 1.2 million due to Republic Act 9604, or the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act, which was approved during the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration.

Under the Law, Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists will receive 5 million, 2.5 million, and 1 million in cash incentives respectively.

This Act was amended in 2015 under the Benigno Aquino administration, which upped the rewards to 10 million, 5 million, and 2 million, for gold, silver, and bronze respectively.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says that the Palace will see if Velasco could be rewarded in accordance with the new law.

The post <b> Onyok Velasco might receive his Olympic incentives 25 years later </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.

Source: we the pvblic