SENATE Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III yesterday denounced the president of Argentine Boxing Commission for not imposing punishment to its unruly crowd who brawl the Filipino boxer Junior Flyweight Champion John Riel Casimero and his entourage.

Sotto said calling for an investigation will not commensurate the gravity of the ill-treatment that the Filipino delegation had experienced.  

“I was told that the Philippine Games and Amusements Board has already sent a letter to Mr. Bisbal, showing concern over the incident and asking for an investigation.  Napakababa ng ganun approach,” Sotto pointed out.

In his privilege speech, Sotto said “aside from crowd’s unruly actuations, what bothers me more is the statement of the president of Argentine Boxing Commission, Mr. Osvaldo Bisbal in Argentine Daily El Clarin that “there is no one to punish for the ugly post fight riot”.  He said that “everything was fine” at the venue and there will be no sanctions taken against Lazarte.  His reaction on the IBF’s possible sanctions was “we laugh at the sanctions of the international sanctioning bodies they have no type of authorities to do so.”

Meanwhile, acting on the speech of Sotto, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile urged the Senate as collegial body to come out with resolution to recall Philippine Ambassador to Argentina and asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to explain on the issue.
Marlon Purificacion