Pia Cayetano on athletes’ bashers: Can we have them jailed?

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Pia Cayetano on Thursday said she feels bad for athletes who experience online bashing, even floating the idea of jailing bashers.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports evaluating the Philippine delegation’s participation in the 20th Asian Games, Cayetano proposed giving athletes additional funding to sustain them during training.

“Can we make it happen, Chairman? Because it’s really lacking. And then the whole country rejoices when you win, and then there are people who bash you when you lose. My God!” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Like, can we have those people jailed? I mean, you don’t deserve that, really. Report them to me. I’ll go through each one of them. I’ll stay up every night to go after them. Right?” she added.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Alex Eala not penalized by WTA for Asian Games stint, says PhilTA

Cayetano also urged athletes to call out their own fans when they resort to bashing opponents.

“If your own fans are doing it, tell them, ‘Please don’t bash my opponent because they’re the reason I’m number one.’ That’s how you should address the situation,” she said.

Cayetano, an athlete herself, said she was fortunate to have competed at a time when athletes did not face the online bashing common today.

“I feel bad that you guys have to go through that,” she added. /mcm