INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Either the accused did not report for office or the charges against him were all fictitious.

Yesterday, instead of madly firing back at his main accuser, Harry Angping, chair of the Philippine Sports Commission, attended to more important matters.

There was none of the burly sheriff who supposedly bore down on foes with impunity.

?My first 100 days in the PSC have brought many changes in the way service is being delivered to our partners and stakeholders,? Angping told the Inquirer.

He added: ?My desires have always been primordially for the good interest of Philippine sports.?

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Earlier, Danny Simon, columnist of Tonite Police Files, claimed he had been threatened by Angping one night inside the PSC Media office.

Simon, who also detailed a series of alleged misdeeds by the PSC chair, claimed a fuming Angping had two bodyguards when he barged into the media office to accost him.

Simon has vowed to elevate his complaint against Angping to the National Press Club and the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

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Anyway, Angping, after giving priority to his initial accomplishments, finally proceeded to brush off Simon?s charges.

?It was inaccurate to accuse me of barging into the PSC Media Center,? he said. ?I was an invited guest for an event in that place.?

Angping also assured he had no bodyguards, because he doesn?t move around with security, in the first place.

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?Everyone in the media center present that evening can attest that my statement, misconstrued as a threat, was made in jest,? the PSC chair said.

Simon claimed Angping had supposedly told other guests over dinner to take care not to poison him.

?It was all to ease the night and create a fun atmosphere after a hard day?s night,? Angping retorted.

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The leonine sports honcho, nicknamed Dirty Harry for his fast moves, made it clear he had nothing to apologize for.

?Í have always been objective in my decisions and I assure everyone these are all above board,? Angping said.

Then, without making any direct allusion to Simon, Angping said he was ?unlike some in the media profession who have been involved in questionable dealings.?

No, Angping did not say he won?t waste time attending to detractors.

He however said there were more pertinent things to prioritize.

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?There is still much work to be done to elevate the stature of sports throughout the country to higher levels, both locally and internationally,? he said.

How does he wish to accomplish his mission?

?To accomplish these arduous tasks, I ask everyone to help without distinction or discrimination,? Angping stressed.

He went on to thank the Inquirer for the opportunity to ?present my side.?

Then, in a flash, Angping next resumed his tough, unyielding self.

He refused to restore Simon in the roster of respected media people that are duly recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission.