Sotto files resolution commending Michael Martinez

Michael Christian Martinez / AP file photo

A resolution commending Michael Christian Martinez for being the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify for Winter Olympics and for finishing 19th place in the 2014 winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia has been filed  at the  Senate.

Senator Vicente “Tito”  Sotto III , who filed Senate Resolution No. 505, said the Senate should commend and congratulate Martinez “for bringing pride, joy and honor to the Filipino people.”

“Martinez’ achievement has brought pride, recognition and honor to the country and to Filipino people.  He rightfully deserves commendation from the Philippine Senate for remarkably showing to the world the exceptional talent of Filipinos,” Sotto said in a statement on Tuesday.

The senator noted how Martinez pursued to learn and develop his skills in figure skating in various shopping mall rinks in the Philippines despite his family’s limited resources and severe asthma medical condition.

“Martinez has proved to Filipinos that with perseverance, determination and hardwork, it is possible to attain and fulfill one’s goals,”  he said.

Sotto also cited Section 17 of article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,  which provides that “the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”

Malacañang on Sunday said that the allocation of the national budget was what prevented the Philippine government from providing funds for figure skater Michael Christian Martinez who represented the country in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communication Operations Office said in a radio interview that the priority of the government is to improve the livelihoods of the marginalized members of the society.

He added that what was left of the budget allocated to athletics is for sports, which President Benigno Aquino III believes Filipinos have the “competitive edge.”

“Ever since, the President believed that the government should focus to sports where Filipinos have a competitive edge,” Coloma said in Filipino. “These are the sports where the Philippines can compete for a medal spot.”

The secretary, however, said that the government can ask the private sector to continue the help it gives to some national sports teams.

“So I see that helping each other is the solution here,” Coloma said. “If we unite and give help to exceptional athletes like Martinez, and others, surely they can achieve their goals in their fields.”

With reports from Maila Ager and Bong Lozada, Inquirer.net