During Senate deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of the GAB on Wednesday, October 14, Go stressed that professional leagues depend heavily on the trust of fans that every game is contested fairly.
“We also ask the agency to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat illegal gambling and game fixing in professional sports,” Go said.
He pointed to the controversy surrounding the July 28 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League game between the Bacolod MassKara and Bulacan Kuyas, which prompted investigations and sanctions after questionable play during the closing portion of the contest drew public attention.
The GAB initiated a fact-finding investigation following the game, while the MPBL cancelled Bacolod’s participation for the rest of the season and imposed sanctions on players and coaches allegedly involved in potential game manipulation.
Go urged regulators and league officials to remain vigilant whenever suspicious conduct is reported.
“Tingnan ninyo po iyong mga game fixing. Alam ninyo bakit? Nakakawalang ganang manood ng basketball na alam mong niluto ng game fixing na iyan,” Go said.
“Importante po dito sa sports iyong makikita mo iyong thrill ng laro. Ako nga, kapag nakikita kong tambak na, makikita mo iyong fans nag-uuwian na. Lalo na kapag nakakita ng luto o game fixing, nakakawalang gana,” he added.
The senator stressed that allegations must be properly investigated and that regulators should use their existing authority to sanction professional athletes and other licensees found responsible after due process.
“I’m urging and calling on the organizers, kung anuman pong liga iyon, tutukan ninyo with the help of GAB. Kayo naman po ang puwedeng mag-sanction, kayo ang puwedeng mag-suspend. Tingnan ninyo po nang mabuti iyan,” Go said.
GAB regulates and supervises professional sports in the country and handles the licensing of professional athletes and other participants.
Go acknowledged the agency’s presence in professional competitions, noting that GAB personnel regularly monitor Philippine Basketball Association games and other professional sporting events.
“Ang trabaho ninyo po ay regulating professional sports. Nakita ko po iyong inyong staff kagabi sa PBA. Bawat laro ng PBA nandoon po ang GAB at nagmo-monitor po sila. Salamat po sa inyo,” he said.
He said strict licensing and enforcement standards are necessary to protect both athletes and spectators.
“It is also important to ensure stringent processes in licensing professional athletes and physical safety in the conduct of professional sports,” Go said.
According to the senator, preserving the credibility of competition is essential to the survival of professional leagues because fans will eventually stop supporting a sport when they lose confidence in the authenticity of its results.
“Hindi po magiging successful iyong liga. Wala na pong manonood, wala nang tatangkilik doon sa ligang iyon kapag nakikita ninyong mayroong game fixing,” he warned.
“Itong sports, sabi ko nga, mas masarap ang pakiramdam mo kapag pinaghirapan, pinagpawisan, at pinagpaguran ninyo ang bawat panalo. Eh nakakita ka ng mga game fixing diyan, nakakawalang gana. Sa totoo lamang po, ako nawawalan ako ng ganang manood ng mga larong luto o game fixing. Magandang manood iyong talagang pantay at patas na laban,” he added.
The senator urged professional leagues, sports associations, team owners and regulators to cooperate in protecting athletes from individuals or groups seeking to manipulate games, particularly amid the growth of online betting and other gambling platforms.
At the same time, Go stressed the need to observe due process in investigations and establish responsibility based on evidence before penalties are imposed.
He said protecting sports integrity ultimately protects Filipino athletes themselves, whose genuine achievements should never be placed under suspicion because of the misconduct of a few.
Go has consistently promoted sports as an instrument for youth development and nation-building, encouraging young Filipinos to pursue athletics as a source of discipline, health, teamwork and productive competition.
He said this social role makes preserving fairness in sports even more important.
“Sports teaches discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and the value of hard work,” Go said.
He called on GAB to maximize its resources and continue improving oversight of professional competitions while maintaining transparency and accountability in the exercise of its regulatory authority.
“Ang gusto lang natin, patas ang laban. Kapag nanalo, alam nating pinaghirapan. Kapag natalo, alam nating lumaban nang maayos. Iyan ang sports na gustong panoorin at suportahan ng taumbayan,” Go said.
“Protektahan natin ang integridad ng laro at ang tiwala ng fans. Walang lugar ang game fixing sa Philippine sports,” he concluded.
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