Fernandez makes good on threat, sues POC chief Cojuangco for libel

PSC Commissioner Mon Fernandez.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission filed a libel case against Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Tuesday at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Cebu City.

Lawyer Ramsey Quijano accompanied Fernandez during the filing of the case, which includes charging Cojuangco with grave oral defamation.

“This is the only way that I can compel POC and the previous PSC board to answer the real issues that I brought forth in relation to the financial assistance that the PSC extended the POC in the years 2010 to 2016,’’ said Fernandez.

The four-time Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player said the POC should account for the P38 million that the PSC released for the country’s hosting of the Asian Games Centennial Festival in 2014, which Fernandez claimed was bankrolled by the Olympic Council of Asia.

POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros said the POC has already settled the amount and would coordinate with the PSC and the Commission on Audit for its proper liquidation.

Fernandez filed the case against the local Olympic chief for branding him a game fixer during his Toyota days in the PBA.

Cojuangco refused to comment and said he would answer the charges in the proper forum.

Fernandez earlier said he would drop the case if Cojuangco retracts his statement, issues a public apology and resigns as POC president.