Tatap lawsuit may lead to POC sanction

Calling it a form of government intervention, former International Olympic Committee member Frank Elizalde feared that the latest lawsuit against top sports officials could lead to a possible suspension from the IOC.

Jacinto Omila Jr., chair of the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines (Tatap), filed Wednesday a graft case against Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia in the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly providing financial assistance to a rival association.

“These charges, if communicated to the IOC, will start a possible suspension,” said Elizalde, now an IOC honorary member after he retired as IOC representative to the Philippines this year.

Other petitioners in the case were Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr., PSC commissioners Salvador Andrada, Gillian Akiko Guevarra, Wigberto Clavecilla Jr., Jose Luis Gomez, among others.

In his complaint, Omila said the PSC released a total of P2,327,465 in assistance to a rival association despite an ongoing leadership dispute between Ledesma’s group and their association headed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.