Lawmaker seeks permanent sanctions on Argentinian boxer

Thursday, February 16, 2012

MANILA – A lawmaker from San Juan City said Thursday that the Philippine government should push for permanent sanctions on Argentinian boxer Luis Alberto Lazarte and his team following a riot that took place last Sunday.

San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito filed a House Resolution urging Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to take actions and push for Lazarte's team to be penalized by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

"The attacks against Riel Casimero and two other Pinoys cannot be tolerated. Luis Lazarte, including his manager, trainer, coach, and assistant trainers, should be permanently sanctioned from entering the boxing ring for displaying such barbaric acts and lack of sportsmanship," Ejercito said.

"I hope the WBC would not take this case lightly, especially that the kind of sportsmanship Lazarte and his team displayed is unacceptable anywhere else in the world’s boxing ring. It is preposterous to just allow Lazarte and his team to walk away from this," he added.

Ejercito, a member of the House committee on games and amusement, also urged the GAB for the meantime to freeze any boxing matches of Filipinos in Argentina, including the scheduled fight of Ana Julaton on March 16, unless this incident has been resolved. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)