Fear of PKF

Athletics president Go Teng Kok yesterday allayed fears of biased investigation by the Philippine Olympic Committee Fact-Finding Committee into the controversy involving Philippine Karatedo Federation president Pocholo Veguillas and the national karatekas and urged Veguillas to just confront the issues.

"They have nothing to fear. I am just one of five members of the fact-finding committee and, contrary to their claims, do not bear any personal grudge against them," said Go, who co-chairs the five-man fact-finding body looking into the mess.

Cristy Ramos, the former POC president and a long-time ally of Veguillas, has asked Go over the weekend to inhibit himself from the ongoing probe because of what she alleged as (Go's) "personal grudge" against Veguillas and herself.

"As long as Go Teng Kok is part of the POC committee looking into this case, we can't expect fairness because we believe he has grudges to settle against us," Ramos said.

But Go said Veguillas and Ramos need not worry about him since "he is not the PKF's enemy but the national karatekas, including Veguilas' two brothers and nephews."

"They should stop using me as an excuse to divert attention from the serious issues raised by the karatekas against the PKF," said Go.

He added: "If they have nothing to hide, if they believe they have never done the athletes wrong, then all Mr. Veguillas and Ms. Ramos have to do is to confront the issues. They have been furnished a copy of the (athletes') complaints and there's no reason why they can't answer them."

But Veguillas insisted he will not attend any POC hearing as long as Go is in the committee. In fact, the embattled PKF head will meet with Philippine Sports Commission chair Carlos Tuason at 10 a.m. today to answer all the charges against him.

"I'm innocent and all charges against me are baseless," said Veguillas. "I don't see any reason why I shouldn't attend the PSC hearing because I have complete trust on the PSC and I expect a fair stand in the investigation."

Twelve national karatekas resigned last month and denounced Veguilas' one-man rule and unauthorized use of PKF resources.