Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
PEOPLE in the sporting community are wondering why the name of former Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez is hardly mentioned as a candidate for his old job when he is perceived to be the closest to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
Ramirez is humble and well-liked and enjoys the respect of even his critics, according to a colleague.
“He doesn’t mind sleeping in the athletes’ barracks or having an inexpensive service vehicle,” said my colleague, who said Ramirez had already been offered the position but wasn’t interested.
According to reports, among the candidates for the PSC chairmanship are incumbent chair Richie Garcia, commissioners Jolly Gomez, Iggy Clavecilla, Akiko Thomson and Salvador Andrada and executive director Guillermo Iroy.
But Duterte earlier said no holdover from the previous Aquino administration will be appointed to the PSC top posts.
* * *
Other names being floated are PBA legend Ramon Fernandez, former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos, former senator Nikki Coseteng and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
Fernandez, a four-time PBA MVP, is now a businessman based in Cebu. He used to head the now-inactive PBA Players Union.
According to reports, while Ramos has the qualifications to sit as PSC chair, her greatest asset is her father, former President Fidel V. Ramos, who is close to Duterte and helped in his presidential campaign.
A former football player, Ramos is deeply steeped in sports. She is currently an official of the international football federation.
* * *
How Guiao made it to the list of candiates we were hard pressed to uncover. There has been a loud buzz that he is now a heavy favorite, although he will not be able to occupy the position until after a year.
Guiao ran for reelection but lost as representative of the first district of Pampanga in the recent polls. He must have been too busy preparing his team in the last PBA conference. He won the championship but lost the seat in Pampanga.