SEN. Manny Pacquiao said he will file a bill to make sure all funding from the Philippine Sports Commission goes straight to the national sports associations and not through the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Pacquiao said he wants to make sure the POC won’t use that practice to influence other NSA presidents.
“What happens is that POC president has control of the NSAs during elections,” said Pacquiao in reference to the recent POC elections where Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., was re-elected for a fourth straight time.
Pacquiao was quickly reminded by PSC chair Butch Ramirez that “there are instances in the past where the government agency legitimately gives fund to POC.”
But the common practice is the PSC money, through its National Sports Development Fund, goes directly to the NSAs.
Trillanes questioning Peping pic.twitter.com/J1Q9letFFc
— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) November 29, 2016
Pacquiao also exhorted Ramirez to strongly implement the law with regard to spending government money.
“You should strictly follow the law because we are dealing with government money. Flex your muscles in imposing your jurisdiction,” Pacquiao told Ramirez.
The PSC chief reiterated that Republic Act 6847 mandates them to supervise, visit and monitor the NSAs because they get their financial assistance from the government agency.
Sparks flew as the senate committee on sports Tuesday conducted a hearing particularly about the P27 million unliquidated funds the POC obtained from the PSC during the 2005 hosting of the Southeast Asian Games.
But the personalities invited clashed regarding other issues plaguing Philippine sports like lack of support and recognition for Fessap (Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines), and infighting inside swimming and bowling.
Cojuangco shielded brickbats from Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson who accused him to meddling with Abap matters including the hiring of foreign coaches.
“When we presented our choice for foreign coach, he (Cojuangco) told me ‘why not get Freddie Roach,”’ Picson added. Instead, Abap hired Nonito Donaire Sr.
Philippine Swimming League president and former senator Nikki Coseteng brought out issues regarding POC’s alleged bias against her association in favor of the Fina- and POC-sanctioned Philippine Sports Institute.
Coseteng also lashed at POC officials whom she said went to World University Games Russia several years ago only to disown the athletes who are supposed to represent the Philippines.
