Fernandez says more nat’l athletes willing to spill beans on sports corruption

PSC Commissioner Mon Fernandez.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission revealed that more national athletes were coming forward to report alleged irregularities in their respective national sports associations.

“There are a few more athletes from other NSAs that are coming out in the open,” said Fernandez Thursday. “But we cannot divulge the sports associations yet because we’re still looking at the veracity of the report.”

Fernandez added that PSC Chair Butch Ramirez had formed a task force led by PSC executive director Sannah Frivaldo to handle all complaints.

“We’re asking all athletes and coaches shortchanged by their NSAs to let us know. The chairman (Ramirez) is really serious in cleaning up this whole mess,” said Fernandez. “Everybody can approach us. It’s just a matter of time before we get to the bottom of these complaints.”

The PSC recently questioned karatedo officials after some of their athletes claimed they did not receive the allowance money due them during their training camp in Germany early last year.

Fernandez said the result of the investigation would come out in a week’s time. Aside from the task force, the PSC is also waiting for the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation.

“The only thing that we can do is stop the financial assistance to PKF,” said Fernandez. “We cannot stop the PKF because it’s a private organization.”

Documents provided by Fernandez showed the PSC allocated P3,217,874.75 for the entire trip with each member of the team allotted a daily allowance of $90 or $1,800 for 20 days.

Fernandez said some of the athletes claimed they received roughly $470. PKF officials said everything was accounted for and no money was lost.

While the investigation is ongoing, Fernandez said the national karatekas would continue training under the supervision of the Philippine Sports Institute national training director Marc Edward Velasco.