PSC to penalize resale of Asian Games-issued apparel online

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) plans to impose penalties on those who resell apparel and other items issued to Filipino athletes for the 2026 Asian Games after some of the items were spotted being offered for sale online.

“At the next PSC board meeting, the commissioners and I will discuss how we can stop the sale of these items, including bags and duffel bags,” PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said during a Senate budget hearing.

“We will prohibit this practice and impose penalties. This will absolutely not be allowed,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Watchdogs question transparency in House OK of 2027 budget bill

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

His statement came after Sen. Bong Go, chair of the Senate committee on sports, raised the issue after noticing that some items distributed to Filipino athletes for the Asian Games were being sold online.

Go said the apparel and other items should be treasured as mementos of the athletes’ participation in the international competition, noting that the opportunity to represent the country in the Games was something to be proud of.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Asian Games in Japan. It may be another 50 years before the Games are held in Japan again,” he noted.

Article continues after this advertisement

He urged the PSC to prevent the resale of items, including jackets, shorts, jogging pants, and shirts, distributed to athletes and officials.

“We will enforce strict guidelines moving forward, Mr. Chairman, so this does not happen again,” Gregorio assured Go.

Neither the PSC nor Go did not identify who had listed the items for sale or disclose whether any sales had been completed but said they both saw the posts offering the said items for sale online. /das