INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Escudero has backed the Philippine Sports Commission to file charges against a National Sports Association (NSA) official for alleged graft but said he hoped the move was not politically motivated.

The 39-year-old opposition senator, in a statement sent to media offices Friday, also asked the PSC to check for more cases of fund mismanagement.

?It takes a PSC leadership with guts to chase after those responsible for squandering funds intended for the welfare and training of our athletes,? Escudero said. ?It?s about time we end the reign of profiteers masquerading as sport leaders.?

Escudero?s remarks comes on the heels of the PSC?s announcement that it was pursuing graft charges against former wushu president Julian Camacho for allegedly withdrawing the salary of a foreign coach months after the coach left the country.

Camacho has denied any wrongdoing.

?It?s the first time the PSC has done this,? Escudero said. ?And if it is standing on solid legal ground in filing charges against erring NSA leaders, then we should encourage its leadership to do so.?

But while he lauded the PSC?s anti-graft initiatives, Escudero also said he hoped that PSC chair Harry Angping?s motives is devoid of political color.

Escudero is aware that Angping has connections to shooting chief Art Macapagal, whom president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco defeated during the last POC polls.

?It is no secret that Angping is being backed by Mr. Art Macapagal,? the statement read.