BONG GO CO-SPONSORS RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PHILIPPINE JIU-JITSU TEAM FOR SUCCESS IN THE 2024 JJIF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GREECE

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, co-sponsored Senate Resolution No. 1245 on Tuesday, December 3, commending the Philippine Jiu-Jitsu team for their remarkable achievements at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) World Championships held in Heraklion, Greece. His co-ponsorship speech was formally inserted into the Senate records to underscore his support for Filipino athletes.

Primarily authored and sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano, Go expressed his support for the resolution by recognizing the Philippine Jiu-Jitsu team’s hard work and dedication, which brought honor and pride to the nation.

In his message, Go emphasized that jiu-jitsu, like many sports, embodies values such as resilience, perseverance, and respect—principles that align with Filipino culture.

“As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I recognize jiu-jitsu as a discipline that promotes resilience, perseverance, and respect. These values are not only vital to sports but also deeply embedded in our Filipino identity,” he said.

Go also lauded the efforts of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines (JJFP) in cultivating talent and promoting the sport as a means for personal and national development.

“The JJFP has consistently nurtured world-class athletes while fostering physical and mental growth among Filipinos. Their dedication to the sport has contributed greatly to our country’s sports development,” he noted.

An advocate for youth and sports development, Go reiterated his commitment to supporting athletes and fostering initiatives to uplift them.

“As I always say, my office remains open to support our athletes. Through my role as Chairperson of the Committees on Sports and Youth, I will continue to push for measures that benefit our athletes and the younger generation,” he affirmed.

He highlighted his admiration for young Filipino athletes, recalling his meeting with the Dojo Garage Deftac Greenhills Team, a group of young athletes aged 4 to 13 who recently won medals at the 2024 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

“At such a young age, these athletes have already honed their skills and brought honor to our nation. They exemplify the bright future of Philippine sports,” he shared.

Addressing the Philippine Jiu-Jitsu team, Go praised their determination and sacrifice in achieving international success.

“Today, we honor our beloved athletes. Your sacrifices and dedication have brought immense pride to our country, and for that, we are forever grateful,” he said.

Go’s support for sports development extends beyond resolutions. He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) through Republic Act No. 11470, a measure he co-authored and sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS provides a specialized curriculum for student-athletes, enabling them to excel in both sports and academics.

Additionally, Go is a principal sponsor and author of Senate Bill No. 2514, the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. This bill, whose Bicameral Conference Committee Report was ratified on September 23, institutionalizes a structured national sports program aimed at grassroots sports promotion and the development of aspiring athletes for national-level competition.

Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, Go continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.

“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said earlier.