MANILA, Philippines?Afraid of losing their means of livelihood, athletes and coaches from the Wrestling Association of the Philippines sought the help of the Philippine Sports Commission after wrestling chief Vince Piccio threatened to strike them out of the national team.
RP coaches Jerry Faingson and Roel Pacional formally lodged the complaint to PSC chair William Ramirez, who brought up the protest to the PSC board Tuesday and promised to resolve the issue at once.
In their letter supported by 18 out of 22 national wrestlers and six out of nine coaches, Faingson said Piccio has been harassing assistant coach Melchor Tumasis and pressuring some of the wrestlers to side with him.
Pacional said the intimidation began after the federation?s national council unseated Piccio and unanimously voted for Juan Albert Balde to take over the helm during WAP?s Sept. 28 election of officers.
?If we find out that Piccio has abused his position, we will withdraw our support for wrestling,? said Ramirez.
Piccio denied the charges but concurred writing a letter asking Tumasis to explain in writing why the multi-titled former wrestler should not be sanctioned ?administratively for actions detrimental to the interest of the organization.?
?Such actuations have caused disunity and prejudice to public order and discipline within the organization,? said Piccio.
Instead of answering Piccio, Tumasis explained his plight to Ramirez, saying the harassment began when six of the nine national coaches, including himself, threw their support behind Balde.
?I?m completely innocent of what Mr. Piccio has accused me of doing,? said Tumasis in Filipino. ?I supported Mr. Balde because I believe he?s an effective leader.?
Pacional added that four national wrestlers were made to sign a waiver prepared by Piccio, which said they were not aware of the contents of the declaration of support for Balde.
Fearing to lose their slots in the national team, where they get monetary support, Pacional said the four wrestlers were forced to sign Piccio?s document.
