Ramirez reshuffles key PSC personnel

PSC Chair William Ramirez. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Sports Commission Chair William Ramirez, wanting no repetition of the embezzlement that happened in the agency from 2014 until several months ago, announced on Wednesday that a revamp in the organizational setup was necessary and said “it was a collective decision of the (PSC) board as part of a plan to reestabilize the organization.’’

With the blessings of the five-man board, lawyer Guillermo Iroy Jr. has been appointed as acting executive director, a position he efficiently held during the previous administration.

Merlita Ibay was named deputy executive director for finance and administrative services, her original appointment before being tapped to take on the acting ED function, while Queenie Evangelista will head the bureau of coordinating secretariat and support services as its acting deputy executive director.

“As the highest accountable official of the agency, I take responsibility to effect changes and make sure there are no gaps in the organization,’’ said Ramirez.

Another round of leadership changes within the agency will be announced before the end of the week.

“I feel sad, frustrated and hurt, but we all have to have composure,’’ added Ramirez. “I hope all stakeholders and partners are at peace with these decisions and continue to support us through this.’’

The National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General came in to assist the PSC in the investigation of the case where Paul Michael Ignacio allegedly siphoned off over P14 million from the agency in a payroll-padding scheme that went undetected for so long.

Ignacio, a staff at the PSC personnel department, channeled monthly allowances of national athletes and coaches to his personal account for the last five years, with the PSC now going after all of his assets in an effort to take that amount—or at least some of it—back.

Ramirez acknowledged the lapses in the agency and vowed to ensure that necessary corrections and sanctions will be done.