VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE, Philippine ROTC Games Honorary Chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino and Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe in the opening ceremonies of the Philippine ROTC Games — Mindanao Regional Leg at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte urged cadets to be a role model in discipline and unity as she guested the opening rites of the 2023 ROTC Games Mindanao Leg on Sunday at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex here.

“Be a role model in discipline. That’s why we are supporting ROTC,” said the 45-year-old Duterte, also an Army Colonel reservist.

Sen. Francis Tolentino expressed gratitude over the presence of the Vice President from the region, saying “It’s truly significant since she is a genuine advocate of youth and sports development through military service.”

“I am hopeful that our shared goals will be achieved, and that ROTC will be a vital force in ensuring that our young people are shaped and formed to protect this nation, promote unity and peace, and to lead with utmost integrity and honor,” added Mr. Tolentino about the vice president from Davao City.

Ms. Duterte, the eldest daughter of former president “Digong” Duterte, gave P30,000 each of the 11 teams seeing action in the competition as an added boost to their needs.

Over 1,300 cadets from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy throughout the region are vying for gold in at least seven sports disciplines in four venues with the JFE memorial sports complex as the main venue.

Mayor John M. Dalipe along with Representatives Manuel Jose Dalipe and Khymer Adan T. Olaso and other top local officials led in welcoming the guests and officials.

In the first Leg in Iloilo City, cadets-athletes from the Philippine Army cornered 25 golds, 25 silvers and 34 bronzes, while the Airmen secured 23-23-22 and 9-9-9 from the Navymen.

The three branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have its own separate competition participated by their respective cadets so that there are three golds, silver and bronzes at stake in each of the event in the seven sports disciplines contested in the week-long sports gathering aimed at rediscovering the strength and enthusiasm of the ROTC.

A total of 50 medals are at stake in athletics, 67 in arnis, 12 in kickboxing, 19 in E-sports, 16 in boxing, 9 in basketball and six medals in volleyball.

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