“Liga,” of course, is a small-time, community based sports competition. Though I may not be a fan of sports, it’s always nice to see people doing what they are good at and promotes camaraderie among them.

What I find it difficult to accept is they always ask for money from the community while there is a budget for it in the barangay government.

Last week, my father received a letter from the youth of Barangay San Jose asking for help in their liga. On my way home today, I thought of some reasons for not giving financial help to the barangay:

First, as I mentioned earlier, the barangay always has a budget for sports activities. They even have a sports committee in the council headed by the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson.

Second, the liga is all about uniform. The heck, you could play all day long without wearing a jersey.

Third, I don’t accept their reason that this is a way to avoid illegal drugs. Talk to the hand! You can even use uppers to perk up your body during games. Summer is just two months; you have the rest of the year to do evil in your body.

Lastly, if they really want competition, why don’t they join the municipality’s sports program. I bet organizing it will be a lot cheaper.

I bet that after knocking in your house, solicitors will step on the Mayor’s Office and the Sangguniang Bayan. This time, they will ask for prizes, like cash and trophies. It’s always election time to these officials so they will give in, albeit reluctantly. It’s as if we have a responsibility for them to play.