AFTER “knocking out” Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao in the May 14 elections, Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio of South Cotabato wants to grant former professional boxing champions pensions who she said gave their all for glory of the country yet end up in a sorry state financially after retirement.
Custodio is urging Congress to pass a bill granting retirement incentives and health-care benefits to former professional boxing champions who won world titles.
Custodio filed House Bill 278 seeking to grant a monthly pension of P15,000 to former champions upon reaching 50 years old. Former champions who were incapacitated while pursuing their boxing careers are also covered, Antonino-Custodio said.
While she is proud of the accomplishment of Pacquiao whom she defeated in the congressional race and who almost single-handedly restored the Philippines’ spot on world boxing map and earned lucrative endorsement contracts, Custodio said “many boxers struggle financially when their careers are over.”
Custodio said many former champions ended up pitifully poor. “That is the woe of many past champions,” she lamented.
Custodio said boxers risk their lives and limbs here and in abroad to give honor and glory to the country.
“They go inside the ring armed with the thought that what they do redounds not only to their benefit but to the country as well,” Custodio said, adding that once in the ring—anything could happen.
“Champions are champions and they deserve better than a mere pat on the back or adulation of his countrymen,” she added.
