IN a winding but often comical speech, where he cracked his usual jokes—and was applauded—reiterated his disdain for corruption and drugs, cleared a controversial former customs official of involvement in smuggling, and read only snippets of a two-page speech, it was, as usual the “ad libs” of President Rodrigo Duterte that surprised and drew the most cheers.
After declaring the Philippine National Games open and quieting the applause to tell the crowd that he wasn’t finished yet, President Duterte, who was late by about 45 minutes, surprised everyone by announcing that he was going to double the cash prizes for the Philippine National Games.
After recalling that PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez, who he pointed out was from Davao City, listed P5 million as the cash prize for the top team in the annual meet, President Duterte said he was going to double it.
“From P5 million, I will add another P5 million so it will be P10 million. For the second runner-up, from P4 million, I will add another P4 million so it will be P8 million,” President Duterte said.
The president announced he will add another P3 million for the third placer, another P2 million for the fourth placer and another P1 million for the fifth placer, doubling the cash prizes for the top five teams in the PNG.
Before his speech, the Cebuanos greeted the visitors with performances in the grand opening ceremony in the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) yesterday.
Also present in the opening ceremony Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.
“The Cebuanos are very appreciative that the PSC has decided to hold this event here. To the athletes, enjoy your events and improve your skills....Let’s make our dreams come true,” said Osmeña.
PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez led the lighting of the urn with Philippine sports legends Roel and Mansueto Velasco, Bong Coo, Francisco “Django” Bustamante, Hidilyn Diaz, Elma Muros Posadas, Monsour del Rosario and Asia’s first chess grandmaster, Eugene Torre.
The hunt for medals will start today for over 3,000 athletes from 96 local government units. They will vie for 2,578 medals – 770 gold medals, 770 silver medals and 1,038 bronze medals—in 19 events.
The events to be competed are arnis, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling,c dancesports, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball and volleyball. (RSC, ML)