PSC files raps vs PKF chief

The Philippine Sports Commission yesterday decided to suspend its financial assistance to the Philippine Karatedo Federation after a PSC investigative body found "probable cause" to ask the Office of the Solicitor General to file administrative charges against PKF president Eduardo Ponce.

PSC commissioner Ritchie Garcia said the government sports agency will submit its findings to the OSG for proper action. The charges of falsification of public documents will be based on a formal complaint by PKF secretary-general Joey Veguillas that Ponce tampered with liquidation papers concerning the karatedo body’s foreign trips.

Included in the formal complaint filed by Veguillas were receipts showing that Ponce issued false liquidation reports on hotel, transportation and officiating expenses. Foreign trips being questioned in particular were the World Karatedo Championships in Germany and the Hong Kong Invitational Championships last year.

"There is probable cause as far as the investigating body is concerned but its findings are not yet final. It will now be up to the OSG. But in the meantime, all financial assistance to the PKF is suspended," said Garcia. The investigative body was composed of PSC legal counsel Julia Llanto, Manny Ibay and Ariel Paredes.

Garcia said Ponce was given the chance to air his side on the controversy but never showed up. "So, until now, we are not recognizing anybody from the PKF until the Philippine Olympic Committee makes a decision on whether a new leadership in that association takes over." — With reports from Joey Villar