President hears athletes’ grievances

President Arroyo yesterday met with a dozen members of the Athletes and Coaches Alliance of the Philippines (ACAP) who personally aired their grievances against the current Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) leadership before the Chief Executive.

"Karapatan ninyo na mag-express kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman ninyo at nalalaman tungkol sa sports para alam ko din. At alam ko na noon pa ay magulo na ang PSC. Hindi na yata natahimik ’yan," the President was quoted by those present at the Rizal Room of Malacañang.

It was the first time that the disgruntled athletes, coaches and officials got an audience with the President after two unsuccessful tries. The first was in March when they staged a protest rally in Malacañang but were welcomed instead by then Executive Secretary Renato De Villa.

Yesterday’s meeting, according to reliable sources, was facilitated by PSC commissioner Cynthia Carrion, a close friend of the President who is reportedly being endorsed by the ACAP as the best possible replacement for current chairman Carlos "Butch" Tuason — if ever the latter loses the post.

But Carrion had said that she is not interested in the top PSC post. "When I heard that (endorsement), it was so embarrassing to the President because she might think that I’m the one organizing these rallies. At baka ako ang leader. It’s unethical."

Carrion then looked back at the last few days of the Erap administration. "When the President was still the Vice President then, she kept quiet although she knew all about the troubles going on because she was next in line and it would look like that she wants the job. So, she had to resign first.

"I’m in the same predicament. And if I talk, he’s (Tuason) still my boss and the President won’t like that. And she taught me that. And she might say ‘Hey, I taught you that and you’re the one doing it.’ Chairman Tuason is already fixing all their demands, which are all legitimate. But he’s looking into it."

The same source, however, said Carrion has been regularly meeting with ACAP officials led by Jaime Sebastian, also the president of the weightlifting association, and that the most recent meetings — at the height of the latest rally against the PSC — were even held at Carrion’s residence.