Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — Senator Bong Go let out a few curses during a plenary session while calling out Jose Rizal University’s (JRU) John Amores and his recent punching rampage during an NCAA basketball game this week.
“Bilang isang basketball player at mamamayang Pilipino, ito ang sagot ko: Dapat bugbugin din ‘yung John Amores na ‘yan. T*** **a na ‘yon,” said the lawmaker.
[Translation: As a basketball player and a Filipino citizen, here is my answer: that John Amores should be beat up too, that son of a b****.]
Senate President Zubiri, leading the Senate session marathon discussing the 2023 national budet, interjected before Go could say more.
Zubiri said Go’s remarks would be stricken off the record.
Go apologized for his language.
“Bilang committee chair on sports na po, formally. We promote sportsmanship,” Go added. “Fan po ako ng basketball kaya nalulungkot po ako sa nangyari.”
[Translation: As the committee chair on sports, formally. We promote sportsmanship. I am a fan of basketball and I am saddened about the incident.]
Go is chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports who was also defending the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) budget. He said PSC is authorized to slap any penalty on athletes for violations of the body’s policies, rules, and regulations as an agency above NCAA.
Amores was penalized with an indefinite suspension by the NCAA on Wednesday.
He also reminded committees and agencies involved to implement measures to avoid future violent incidents during games.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also aired his frustration and expressed hope PSC chairman Noli Eala would issue a statement and also address the issue.
“We don’t want the world to know or show the world that Filipinos are actually like that,” Villanueva said.
Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis of College of St. Benilde filed formal complaints against Amores after sustaining physical injuries in the incident.
