As a lifelong supporter of young athletes and artists, this lawyer and party-list representative for Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) knows the importance of pushing for programs and legislation that can help the youth chase after their dreams — all while bringing pride to the Filipino people in the local and global arenas.
Even before being elected congresswoman, Atty. Migs Nograles has always had the heart for public service. Growing up, she has always volunteered in non-profit organizations both here and abroad. As soon as she became a lawyer, Migs started giving free legal advice through her online show Paano Ba Attorney and through various platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Sunstar, where she provides free legal advice concerning various issues and sectors.
A firm believer in the value of sports in helping mold the youth, the PBA party-list representative has also been an advocate in promoting it by doing various programs involving sports and the youth sector through her scholarship programs. As a graduate of both Political Science and Economics, with a degree in Juris Doctor and Master in Business Administration, Migs is likewise an advocate of micro industries and the LGBTQI+ community.
First-hand experience
Her passion for sports and the youth comes from first-hand experience. As a former athlete and artist herself, Migs knows the many struggles athletes go through, including the financial burden they have to overcome to earn their place in various competitions here and abroad. That’s why she has endeavored to support various grassroots programs for aspiring athletes and artists. Since her father’s time, the Nograles family has been supporting local athletes as well as sponsoring local competitions to help the youth—particularly athletes and artists—chase after their dreams not only in local competitions, but as the country’s representatives in various tilts and sports meets abroad.
“It is important to support and push for grassroots programs for our athletes and artists, as our current laws only provide for cash incentives for winners of various international competitions,” says Migs, who, as PBA party-list representative, intends to become a catalyst in strengthening youth and sports-oriented causes in the country.
“Pushing for legislation that will support grassroots athletes throughout the country will help us find those athletes who are not only capable of raising the flag and making the Filipino people proud,” she continues. “Such legislation, hopefully, will also lessen the stress most athletes undergo financially and emotionally when it comes to supporting themselves and training before competitions.”
Concrete support for athletes
As PBA’s party-list representative, Migs believes that pushing for various concrete ways to support athletes would benefit not only them, but also the entire nation. She wants to provide such basic social benefits not only to current deserving athletes, but also to retired athletes by providing them retirement benefits long after they have brought pride to the country.
As a lawyer, she is also in a position to push for sports legislation and arbitration to help athletes address and resolve various sports-related issues faster and easier.
That’s why the PBA has chosen to prioritize providing legal, financial and grassroots support to the country’s athletes. Given the troubles we have encountered with our athletes, as well as the outstanding capabilities they have shown in the recent Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), Migs and the PBA party-list have deemed it best and timely to focus their energies and clout on this area.
“There should be a bridge that is placed within various government agencies to fill these gaps that are not addressed. Our athletes should not be bothered with all these small issues. Instead, they should focus on training and raising the flag of our country and the Filipino nation,” says Migs.
“It is incumbent upon us — the government, legislature and various sports agencies — to see to it that our athletes grow in their pursuit to represent our country. Again, PBA, through legislation, wishes to provide solutions to these gaps and become the bridge to execute and push for better legislation and support for our athletes and the youth,” she adds.
Our athletes should be considered as a “Bayani,” as we have so many young people with huge potentials, but are lacking mainly in support and proper guidance. PBA, through Atty. Migs Nograles, wishes to be that link and that rock to help support the Philippines’ Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta.
