Marcial claims PSC allowance still not enough

Eumir Marcial has called out the PSC anew for the lack of enough allowance to push through with his Olympic training. PSC-POC Media (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Barely two weeks after talks became rife on whether PHP37,000 is a good starting salary or not, incoming Olympian Eumir Marcial said that the current allowance he is receiving from the Philippine Sports Commission, slightly higher than the aforementioned amount, is not enough for him.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, the Tokyo-bound pro boxer insisted that the PHP43,000 he is getting from the PSC is still short of what he really needs to have his training in full throttle, even calling out those who have no idea of what is really going on to shut up.

"Mga taong walang alam sa sports tahimik na lang kayo! Hindi niyo alam ang katotohanan. Since last year noong nasa United States ako hanggang ngayon dito sa Zamboanga City, tingin niyo sapat ang 43,000 pesos monthly allowance para sa preparation sa Olympics?" Marcial asked at the start of his lengthy rant.

The statement was a response to what PSC executive director Guillermo Iroy claimed earlier in the week.

In a report by Marc Reyes of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Iroy said that the PSC has not stopped in giving Marcial his allowance even if he skipped the national team training in Calamba and later Bangkok and instead continued to train with his own team in Los Angeles and eventually his hometown.

Iroy's statement was itself his answer to Marcial's claims in a radio interview that he is not getting enough financial support from the PSC.

"Do you think I can rely dyan sa 43,000 pesos para sa plane tickets, accommodation, food, coaching staff, supplements, masseur, etc.? Lahat ng na-mention sa taas ay provided by private sponsors and of course my own money," Marcial further said.

He then said that this financial drama could help deprive the Philippines of the elusive Olympic gold.

"Kung ganyan ang supporta at mentality niyo wag kayong mag hangad ng gold sa Olympics! Ngayon ang tanong ko sa sarili ko at tanong ko din sa inyo mahihina ba kameng mga Pilipinong atleta kung bakit hanggang ngayon walang nakakakuha ng gold sa Olympics o sadyang may problema na ang pag supporta galing sa inyo?!" Marcial said.

In conclusion, though, he hopes that this situation would instill unity for everyone especially there has been a lot of bullishness about the Philippine team's Olympic gold chances.

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