PSC to inquire into Patafa issue

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will form a panel to find out whether national track and field coaches Joseph Sy and Roselyn Hamero indeed violated rules which PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez had cited in removing them from the PSC payroll.

PSC Chair Richie Garcia said he would form the panel within the week with the first hearing set on Monday at the earliest after meeting with Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) secretary general Benjamin Silva-Netto, Sy and Hamero Monday.

“I have until Friday to decide on who will be the (committee) members,” said Garcia, adding that the PSC board will act on the issue based on the panel’s recommendation.

“They could be from the POC or the PSC, or maybe an entirely independent group.”

Sy and Hamero, who used to receive a monthly allowance of P20,000 each as national coaches, were taken off the PSC payroll after Gomez accused them of excessive absences and of allegedly forging the record of an athlete so the athlete could compete in the Southeast Asian Games.

But Go Teng Kok, the Patafa president, accused Gomez of being biased due to his alleged interest in the Patafa leadership. Go insisted that his coaches were not given due process.

“We need a detailed explanation of the allegations by Commissioner Gomez,” Garcia said.

“We have to protect government funds. If the committee finds them guilty, then the decision is final.”