Senator Bong Go sponsors Senate resolution honoring Philippine delegation for strong showing at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, cites medal haul, athlete welfare, and long-term sports development

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go took center stage in the Senate on February 4, as he sponsored Senate Resolution No. 227, formally commending and congratulating the Philippine delegation for its strong showing at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, held from December 9 to 20, 2025 in Thailand, with events staged across Bangkok and Chonburi.

During his sponsorship speech, Go formally placed on record the Philippine delegation’s medal tally at the 33rd SEA Games, noting the country’s standing in the final rankings and the scale of participation across various sporting disciplines.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and one of the authors of these resolutions, it is with great pride and honor that I sponsor this Senate Resolution commending and congratulating the Philippine contingent to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand for excellently representing our country and for winning an impressive total of 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals – placing sixth overall in the final medal tally, and ranking fourth in terms of aggregate medal haul with 277.”

He noted that the Philippines fielded its largest delegation to date, a move he said reflected the country’s seriousness about sports development and regional engagement.

“For this regional sports spectacle, the Philippines sent its largest-ever delegation, with approximately 1,600 athletes and officials proudly representing the country in various sporting events, underscoring the nation’s strong commitment to athletic excellence and regional camaraderie.”

In assessing the athletes’ performance, Go attributed the results to sustained preparation and the collective work of athletes, coaches, and support personnel.

“Mr. President, the remarkable performance of our athletes is a testament to the unwavering dedication, discipline, and perseverance of our Filipino athletes, coaches, and support staff, who trained tirelessly and competed with integrity, resilience, and excellence. Their journey to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games was marked by countless hours of training, personal sacrifice, and steadfast commitment to excellence.”

He added that the medals symbolized more than individual accomplishments, framing them as a source of national pride and inspiration, particularly for the younger generation.

Go also highlighted the importance of inter-agency coordination and cooperation with the private sector, stressing that athlete success depends on a unified support system.

“Mr. President, this achievement also highlights the importance of bringing together all of our sports agencies, kagaya ng Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, at ang mga pribadong stakeholders para sa kapakanan at tagumpay ng ating mga atleta. We must unite and support a strong and effective system for our athletes. Importante na magkaisa lahat sa sports sector.”

He elaborated on the kinds of support athletes require, noting that assistance should go beyond funding alone.

“Hindi lamang pinansyal na tulong ang kailangan ng ating mga atleta; mahalaga rin ang moral support, sapat at masustansyang pagkain sa panahon ng kanilang training, at maayos na kagamitan upang maging ganap ang kanilang paghahanda. Kailangang naka-focus lamang sila sa kanilang complete training, habang tayo naman ay nagbubuklod upang tiyakin na lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan ay natutugunan. When government and the private sector move together, our athletes are empowered to reach their full potential.”

Looking ahead, Go expressed confidence in the country’s prospects in future competitions, citing the progress shown by Filipino athletes on the regional stage.

“Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, ako po ay nakakasiguro, that our country will become a strong contender in future competitions, and we will be dubbed as a ‘Sports Powerhouse in Asia.”

Addressing the athletes directly, he described their impact on national morale and unity.

“To our athletes, you have become a symbol of strength and a great source of inspiration to our fellow countrymen, who continue to give us hope in the face of adversity. Our Filipino athletes have proven time and again their undying devotion and have even unified the country through sports. Thus, upholding the true spirit of patriotism.”

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go reiterated his intention to continue pushing for programs and initiatives aimed at athlete welfare and sports development, while also emphasizing the role of sports in steering young people away from harmful activities.

“As your Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, rest assured, I will continue to pursue sports development programs and initiatives that will promote the welfare of our athletes, to help restore our rightful place in the world of sports. Naniniwala tayo na isang paraan ang sports para ilayo natin ang mga kabataan sa masasamang bisyo: get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit.”

Go also cited his role as sponsor of the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission, explaining his efforts to push for increased funding for the agency.

“Bilang sponsor ng budget ng Philippine Sports Commission, ipinaglalaban ko po talaga na mataasan ang kanilang budget dahil para naman po ito sa ating mga atleta.”

He further pointed to recent developments affecting sports funding, noting a Supreme Court directive related to mandated contributions to the sports sector.

“Worthy of note, Mr. President, is the Supreme Court’s order directing PAGCOR and PCSO to account for and remit the full amount due to PSC as mandated by law. Inaasahan natin na malaking tulong ito sa ating pag-invest sa sports sector.”

Beyond competitive performance, Go underscored the value of sports tourism, linking the hosting and support of sporting events to national promotion and youth engagement.

“Moreover, I strongly value the role of sports tourism in our country. By hosting and supporting sporting events, we showcase the Philippines as a premier destination for sports while inspiring our people, especially the youth, to engage in physical activities and strive for excellence.”

He concluded his sponsorship speech by once again congratulating the Philippine delegation and recognizing the collective nature of their achievement.

“Muli, binabati ko po ang ating Philippine Delegation sa 33rd SEA Games. Win or lose, pusong pinoy ang panalo, isang mainit na pagbati po inyong lahat. Ang bawat isa sa inyo ay naging bahagi ng tagumpay ng ating bansa. Thank you, Mr. President! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!”

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