‘PSC abolition OK, but don’t ignore POC’

MANILA, Philippines—National Olympic chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. has no objection to a congressional proposal that would transform the Philippine Sports Commission into a cabinet-level government office.

Cojuangco said that as long as the influence of the Philippine Olympic Committee over the new sports body remains intact and the POC continues to take the lead role in the country’s participation in foreign competitions, there is nothing to worry over the PSC’s transformation.

“There’s no problem with the PSC becoming a department but eliminating the POC’s participation is nonsense,” he said.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, chair of the Senate committee on amateur sports competitiveness, recently filed Senate Bill No. 3092 which would abolish the PSC to pave the way for the creation of the Department of Sports under the Office of the President.

Trillanes said the passage of the bill would make the PSC immune from the influence of the POC.

“The government can’t meddle in the affairs of the POC,” said Cojuangco.

The POC has full autonomy on the selection of athletes, while the PSC funds the training and participation of the national athletes in events such as the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.