Lawmaker seeks rank promotion for soldier athletes winning int’l medals

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 28): Lawmaker seeks rank promotion for soldier athletes winning int’l medals

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives wants Filipino soldier-athletes to have a greater chance of moving up the ranks for bagging medals in international competitions.

1Pacman Partylist Rep. Michael Romero has filed House Bill No. 4220, or the “Special Recognition for Philippine Athletes with Military Services Act”, in recognition of soldier-athletes who face two “war fronts” in bringing honor and glory to the country.

"They believe becoming a soldier-athlete brings twice the honor than what just being an athlete does,” said Romero, noting that soldier athletes are trained to hone their skills as sports competitors while undergoing rigorous military skills training.

Romero said soldier-athletes should also be rewarded twice for medals won--one through cash incentives already authorized under the law and another by promoting them in rank for their sports achievement.

Romero cited the case of A1F Hidilyn Diaz who snared a silver medal in weightlifting during the recently held Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Diaz is a member of the Philippine Air Force Special Service.

Under the proposed measure, a Filipino athlete, who is currently an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be given special recognition of promotion to three ranks higher if he or she wins a gold medal in an international sports competition duly recognized by government.

A silver medal will elevate the soldier-athlete to two ranks higher, while a bronze will be equivalent to a rank above his or her current grade.

Romero urged the House leadership to include HB 4220 in the list of legislative priorities of the chamber, saying that this will increase the country’s chances of getting in the medal column in the 2020 Olympics in Japan and in other international sports competitions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=935584