By Dolly Yasa
Bacolod City- The welfare of Filipino athletes will be one of the top priorities of former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson when he gets elected as senator in the midterm elections in May next year.
Singson and his daughter Representative Rachelle Singson of the Ako Ilokano Ako Partylist were here during the weekend.
Both held a press conference and also met with mayors, vice mayors, and councilors of the province of Negros Occidental in a dinner hosted by philanthropist Jerry Sy.
Singson imparted to the media that Filipino athletes hold a special place in his heart especially those who are working hard to give pride and glory to the country in the global arena.
“The government should always support our athletes,” Singson said.
He is noted for his willingness to open his wallet to ensure that all Filipino athletes have everything they need.
Singson used to be the President of the Philippine National Shooting Association and a good friend of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao before the latter became an eight-division champion.
A respected benefactor of Philippine Sports, Singson has been helping former Olympian Charly Suarez launch his professional career.
Singson also shared with the members of the local press his recent offer of P5 million to double-gold Olympian medalist Carlos Yulo for him to reconcile with his family, especially with his mother.
Singson said the emissary of Yulo told him that he would just get the P5 million to which Singson disagreed.
“He can only get it if he reconciles with his family, there is no timeline, we Filipinos are family-oriented, we must uphold that,” Singson said.
He said he would just give P1 million to Yulo’s family.
“I will help Caloy repair his relationship with his family, I will give him P5 million just to make peace with them, and to his family I will give them P1 million just to settle their differences with Caloy,” Singson said.
Singson also told reports that he is running as an independent candidate because both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte are his friends and he actively campaigned for them in the last election.
He said he cannot take sides and will not advise the two who are at odds with each other because he is a private citizen.
“When I’m a senator, I will (advise them),” he added.
