Bayani

Sports heroes

February 5, 2025 People's Tonight 94 views

THE approval of the House of Representatives of a bill honoring Filipino sports heroes should be welcomed by all sectors of society.

Specifically, the proposed piece of legislation allows Filipino sports greats to be buried at the country’s “Libingan ng mga Bayani.”

At present, only Philippine presidents, AFP chiefs of staff, soldiers, war veterans and heroes are among those qualified to be buried at the said cemetery.

Last Monday, the lawmakers approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 11229, or the Commemoration of Filipino Sports Heroes Act.

Under the measure, Filipino athletes, coaches or trainers inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame are considered sports heroes.

Filipino athletes embody the values and virtues cherished in the country, according to Isabela Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III in his sponsorship speech of the bill.

Congressman Dy is the chairman of the House committee on sports and youth development.

He said sports champions are “modern heroes.”

Burying these sports greats at the Libingan ng mga Bayani , he said, is one way of immortalizing their outstanding achievements.

Of course, nobody will argue with Dy when he said that Filipino sports heroes are the sources of inspiration and strength of the people.

Ccrtainly, honoring our sports heroes is a move in the right direction.

AUTHOR PROFILE