Two-time former sports commissioner Richie Garcia takes the reins as chair of the Philippine Sports Commission today, putting to rest weeks of speculation on who will run the government sports agency under the Aquino administration.
Garcia, a champion amateur golfer, said his appointment papers, along with those of new commissioners Salvador Andrada, Chito Loyzaga and Jolly Gomez as well as incoming executive director Dina Bernardo, are already with Philippine Olympic Committee chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, uncle of President Aquino.
Former Olympian Akiko Thomson retained her post as commissioner.
“It’s already with ‘Cong’ Cojuangco, and we will get it today,” Garcia said, referring to the Palace papers, which was reportedly signed by Aquino over the weekend.
With his experience at the PSC, Garcia—whose last stint came when Butch Ramirez headed the agency until January last year—said he will be able to provide national athletes the service they deserve.
“This is not new to me,” said Garcia. “Hopefully, my experience working at the PSC will come in handy as we look after the welfare of our athletes.”
Stressing the importance of a harmonious relationship between the PSC and the POC, Garcia said his first order of business will be to unite the two organizations.
“We will declare the formal unification of the PSC and POC,” said Garcia. “One cannot do anything without the other. We can now move forward. That [policy disagreements] should never happen again to sports.”
Former PSC chair Harry Angping was at odds with Cojuangco over policies, including the sending of RP delegations overseas.
After convening the new PSC board and meeting with Cojuangco today, Garcia said he will visit the PSC offices at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Vito Cruz, Manila.
Garcia’s appointment comes at a time when the country is in the thick of preparations for the Youth Olympics in Singapore next month and the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November.