There is a need to amend Republic Act 6847, the law that created the Philippine Sports Commission in 1991, because it is outmoded?one big reason sports in the country is not making any progress.
In my opinion, Congress should amend RA 6847 in order to give the PSC chair a fixed term of at least four years and ensure the continuity of the PSC?s sports program.
That is why I agree with Sen. Francis ?Chiz? Escudero who recently batted for a fixed term for the PSC chair and commissioners. Recall that a few years back, I already cited one major reason why Philippine sports is ailing is because of the frequency of changes in our government and, subsequently, in the PSC leadership.
Lawyer Cecilio Hechanova became the first PSC chair in 1990 when he was appointed by then President Corazon C. Aquino.
In the latter part of 1992, Dr. Aparicio Mequi of UP was appointed by President Fidel V. Ramos. Mequi?s term, however, was short-lived. He was succeeded on an interim basis to the post by lawyer Dominador Cepeda, then a PSC commissioner.
Former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, a past president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, assumed the position as third PSC chair. In 1995, management guru Philip Ella Juico was appointed by Ramos to succeed Lopez, who resigned to run as Manila mayor.
With the change of administration in 1998, President Joseph Estrada designated Carlos ?Butch? Tuason as PSC chair. Tuason died of cancer in San Francisco, California, this year.
In February 2002, President Macapagal-Arroyo named multititled swimmer Eric Buhain to become the sixth chair of the agency. Buhain was replaced by William ?Butch? Ramirez, a true-blue sportsman from Ateneo de Davao, who joined the PSC as a commissioner in 1999. He was named a full-time PSC chair in 2005.
In batting for a fixed term for the PSC chair, Escudero said, ?Giving the PSC chair a fixed term would give him a freehand to implement projects free from intervention from his patrons in the government.?
* * *
DANCESPORT or ballroom dancing has a unique history that has contributed to its popularity as a recreation and competitive sport. It has its origins in England during the late 18th and early 19th century, becoming vastly popular among the upper class who participated in social events at balls.
In April 1995, the International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF), the ruling body for amateur dance, announced that the International Olympic Committee has granted provisional IOC recognition to dancesport. This is a major step toward having dancesport recognized as an Olympic event.
In the Philippines, the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines Inc. is the recognized National Sports Association by both the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, the 12th DSCPI National Championship-Alaxan FR Cup gets going at the Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra), with a banner field of around 400 dance athletes competing.
DSCPI president Becky Garcia said these athletes are competing in the Latin and Standard disciplines in this annual tournament sponsored by Alaxan FR, PCSO, PSC, POC, Pagcor, Water Zone, Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Savannah Moon, NU107, Studio 116 and Manila Times. Seven IDSF licensed adjudicators from Europe and Asia will serve as judges during the competitions.
Assisting Ms Garcia are members of the DSCPI board, namely, lawyer Noel Laman, chair; lawyer Josefina De Vera-Saliva, secretary general; Gloria Alcala, treasurer; and directors lawyer Andy Fornier, Marvie Cojuangco-Yulo, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo, Edward Hayco, Ruby Co, Chona Mercado, Nanette Mendoza, Emma Nieto, Rebecca Jose, Crisaldo Rendon and Victoria Alix. For inquiries, call Anna or Lorien at 635-0116.
