Ombudsman clears Tuason

Philippine Sports Commission chair Carlos Tuason has been cleared of the graft and corruption complaint filed against him by former PSC commissioner Teresita Abundo before the Ombudsman last year.

Also cleared of the charges filed by Abundo shortly after her resignation in April last year were commissioners Richie Garcia, Leonardo Celles and Monico Puentevella, who also resigned last November after Congress imposed a huge cut on the PSC budget for this year.

In her complaint, Abundo charged Tuason and the three commissioners of graft and corruption on at least three counts, including the multi-million peso contracts on the refurbishing of the water system within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and the costly repair of Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) air-conditioning.

Abundo, a former member of the national volleyball team, also based her charges on the "anomalous" granting of cash allowances to 30 athletes and officials, led by Ramon Suzara, who underwent a one-month training in Australia for last year’s Sydney Olympics.

In a 14-page decision reviewed by Ombudsman’s administrative adjudication bureau director Mary Susan Guillermo and penned by Ombudsman Aniano A. Desierto, Tuason and the three commissioners were "exonerated" and the case dismissed "for lack of substantial evidence."

"We’re all relieved because in the first place we’re innocent," said Tuason, who added that he and the commissioners included in the charge will confer with their lawyers on whether they would file a damage suit against Abundo. "This case has somehow damaged our reputation as public officials, but we’ll see."

Tuason, who was appointed PSC chairman in 1998 when Joseph Estrada became president, and his four commissioners, including Weena Lim and Butch Ramirez, who replaced Abundo and Puentevella, respectively, have continued to run the PSC despite the recent change in national leadership.

The PSC chief said they‘re leaving it all up to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whether they would be retained or replaced.

"It‘s because that‘s what we, as presidential appontees with no cabinet rank, are suppoed to do. It’s really up to the new President because it’s her sole prerogative," said Tuason.

A couple of names, however, have cropped up as his possible replacement.

They are former Phlippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos and former PSC chair Philip Ella Juico, both close to the men of the present administration. - Abac Cordero