Never tolerate mediocrity. Look what it has done to our country.
I believe this is the best time as any to collectively register our demand for the officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the NSAs (National Sports Associations) to resign irrevocably.
For years, they have been fleecing the government treasury to fund their under-performing forays, like the misadventure in the recent SEAG in Kuala Lumpur.
Peping Cojuangco, now on his fourth consecutive term as POC president, did not even utter a single word of apology for the country’s dismal 6th place finish but instead asked the Filipinos to move on forward to the hosting of the 2019 SEAG in Manila.
Oops, not so fast sir.
You have something accountable to answer for.
I personally witnessed how you densely pleaded for money during the youth and sports committee hearing in Congress. Together with your sycophantic NSA officials, you were asking for more money from PSC chair Butch Ramirez who indicated that the POC and the NSAs who have previous financial accountabilities to first liquidate the monies given you the previous years since 2005.
With just 24 golds, the embarrassing 6th position was considered the poorest of all performances considering that 406 golds were at stake in the Malaysian sportsfest. And to think that the SEAG is the least competitive of all regional sports conclaves in the world!
Thailand was runner-up (72g) while Vietnam, previously ravaged by a hard-fought war in the 60s up to the mid-70s, has outraced us and landed third with 58g. Singapore was next with 57g and Indonesia fifth with 38g.
Slowly you now hear excuses and alibis in the ensuing press statements so that at least half of the blame will be laid on the doorsteps of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Twelve years after the 2005 sterling championship performance, the Nationals dipped in their performances one SEAG edition after another. Even if the Filipinos finished midway among eleven countries, the last five were already given up for lost since they were not even expected to figure in the race for the top six or seven.
Meaning, the Phl contingent arrived dead last among the six contenders. Should we not cry for heads to roll? I thought we were a specially-gifted, talented race, is it not?
If we do not shout our voices hoarse to demand their irrevocable resignation, does that mean we are satisfied with our contingent’s last place finish?
Come on, folks! Let’s show Metro Manilans that we in Mindanao are not ignorant of the goings-on there. We could start the ball rolling by spreading out a signature petition to demand their ouster in the social media.
For the upkeep, preparation and domestic and foreign training of the 496 national athletes, how many millions do you think did the taxpayers pay for? P100M? P200M? P300M?
How dense can Cojuangco and his POC ilk be?
Right now, I would suppose the House of Representatives will call for a probe and look deeper – for the nth time – why this snafu happened. The Senate might follow thereafter.
Malacanang should demand an explanation. If it is not satisfied, the Palace can ask Cojuangco to tender his resignation and cede the POC scepter to somebody more credible.
In the hosting of the 2019 SEAG in Manila, Cojuangco cannot be expected to lead by sheer example because he has nothing remarkable to show.
He has managed to re-chart the POC constitution and by-laws to strengthen his hold onto his post. There has been so much disunity and division since then.
There should be no stone left unturned in PRRD’s clean-up drive in governance and this must include the realm of sports because there is so much corruption thereabouts perpetrated by political derring-do and machinations, resulting in the sub-par performances of national athletes.
Thus, a sweeping reform-oriented change in the leadership of the POC and the NSAs can also lead to a parallel shift with the federalization of the country.
A former First Lady once said: “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Rom. 8:37: “No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
