MANILA— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a review of the financial support extended to Filipino athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, following complaints that some members of the national volleyball team had been struggling to cover basic expenses.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the government would investigate the athletes’ concerns and determine whether any sports official failed to perform their duties or mishandled funds intended for the national team.

“Unang-una, papa-imbestigahan po ito para malaman natin kung ano ba iyong naranasan ng ating mga athlete, mga ating manlalaro,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

“Hindi po kasi gusto ng ating Pangulo na iyong mga nagre-represent sa ating bansa ay sila pa ang nahihirapan. Dahil parang hindi tumutugon ang gobyerno sa pangangailangan nila. Ayaw-na-ayaw po iyan ng Pangulo,” she added.

The review followed revelations by Alas Pilipinas Men captain Bryan Bagunas about the financial difficulties faced by the national volleyball team before and during its Asian Games campaign.

Bagunas said the players had not received their regular allowances since July. Some members, he said, had been forced to borrow money from teammates and other individuals to cover transportation costs for training.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) later apologized to the athletes, acknowledging that some players had shouldered expenses themselves and borrowed money, while admitting that its efforts to address their needs had been insufficient.

Castro said the government would establish the facts first before determining whether anyone should be held responsible for the situation.

“Alam na naman din natin kung gaano pinahahalagahan ng ating Pangulo ang ating mga manlalaro. So ganito pong pagkakataon kinakailangan itong pagtuunan ng pansin, kung saan may kulang, sino may pagkukulang at kung ang mga ibinibigay na mga ganitong pamamahayag ay tama at may basehan,” Castro said.

She said officials found to have abused their authority, particularly in relation to funds intended for athletes, should face accountability.

“Kapag nagkataon na ito ay totoo at may umabuso, dapat lang pong mapanagot kung sino ang mga umaabuso,” Castro said.

Asked whether officials would be held accountable if the investigation found that athletes had been neglected, Castro said this should be the case.

“Dapat lang po. Lahat po ng umaabuso sa kapangyarihan, lalo na kung may isyu tungkol sa pondo, hindi sila dapat na maging masaya kung sila man ay nakalamang, dahil papanagutin sila.”

“Pero ang tinitiyak lang natin ay ayaw ng Pangulo na ang ating mga manlalaro ay hindi nabibigyan ng sapat na ayuda,” Castro said.