Senate invites POC, PSC chiefs to explain state of PH sports

National Olympic chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia have been invited to attend a Senate inquiry looking into the state of Philippine sports early next week.

The country’s top two sports officials will appear before the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports on June 10.

Garcia would be asked to brief the committee, chaired by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, about the recent Philippine National Games and the Palarong Pambansa held in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, among others.

The committee will also tackle the budgets allocated by the government for the various national sports associations (NSAs), as well as proposed legislative measures to improve the state of the country’s sports.

Sports icons Paeng Nepomuceno of bowling, Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante of billiards, and Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes were also invited to the hearing as resource persons.

Among the NSA heads expected at the inquiry are Mark Joseph of swimming, Jose Magsaysay of archery, Arturo Ilagan of billiards, Nicanor Sering of athletics, Mariano Araneta of football, Tan She Ling of wushu, Juan Alberto Balde of wrestling and Parañaque Rep. Edwin Oliveros of tennis.