PSC Com. Ramon Fernandez is initiating a protest rally on Sept. 21 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) to spotlight on the very poor performance of the Phl delegation to the recently-concluded KL SEAG in Malaysia.
I am highlighting my lead to relate the same to my column head because this will virtually be the end purpose of the protest action.
Known more popularly for his nickname Mon, Fernandez is dismayed by the measly 24-gold medal harvest by Filipino athletes, a very low production output considering there were 406 medals at stake for first places.
Let us call a spade a spade, OK?
Fernandez has an axe to grind against POC president Peping Cojuangco who much earlier allegedly labelled him to have thrown away games during his long, colorful stint in the PBA. Fernandez said he would sue.
The country’s very embarrassing finish in the biennial meet cost taxpayers’ money to the tune of P300M, including expenses for the training and overseas exposure of the nationals.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao is busy pushing his proposal to uplift the status pf boxers in the senate by filing a bill for the creation of a Philippine Boxing Commission. Unfortunately, this met stiff opposition notably from Sen. Frank Drilon whose interpellation at the plenary forced the Sarangani senator to table his bill for the time being.
I thus hasten to suggest that Pacquiao should instead focus his work for the strengthening of the PSC law by amending some provisions that would distinctly put the sports agency and the Philippine Olympic Committee in their proper places.
Since the birth of RA 6847 in 1990, the POC and the NSAs under its umbrella have been acting like pampered prima donnas, insisting they should be treated with special attention by the PSC because that is specifically mandated under the law.
The PSC and the POC have been at odds since.
Fernandez is organizing a protest rally to remind Cojuangco and company to explain why the Filipinos finished at the tail-end of the totem pole (sixth among six title contenders).
If Cojuangco cannot satisfy the sports community, Fernandez would not stop short in asking for heads to roll as the case should be among honorable people.
The sports media has in fact called for Cojuangco to step down voluntarily and cede the POC scepter to a young, progressive-minded sports leader. By the way, Cojuangco is already in his 80s and is now in his fourth term as POC chief.
I recall in 1991 when the Philippines upset Malaysia in football, the entire Malaysian football officialdom and its coaching staff were summarily booted out for the shame its team suffered.
In Japan, I’m sure some responsible officials would have committed hara-kiri in such a situation.
But do not expect our sports leaders to do this. Kapit-tuko sila. They will cling on to their posts like leeches. Like it is said, they have skins denser than the crocs.
I have a feeling both houses of Congress will agree to amend the PSC statute, given the fact that bickering between the PSC and POC has been going on for the last 27 years.
It must be realized that the PSC, as the funding agency, should be given much more than just ample authority in its judicious management of government money.
The POC has been insisting that as an NGO it is not incumbent upon it to liquidate monies they receive from the PSC, thus millions, until this very day, have not been fully accounted for.
I do not remember if anyone from the POC ranks has been litigated and sent to jail.
The Sept. 21 protest rally, I hope, is given ample media space and publicity by the POC-PSC Press Corps.
Pacquiao should be invited to the rally as the principal speaker who will enunciate his ideas for a long-delayed change in the POC leadership.
Many are saying that decency dictates for Cojuangco to resign.
He said “No.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) 2 Samuel 22:22: “For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
