Garcia, Lim resign; Diay, Abundo top list

Malacañang yesterday confirmed that three more incumbent commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have submitted their courtesy resignations to President Arroyo.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said in a press briefing yesterday he knew about the resignations but said he is not aware whether or not President Arroyo had accepted them.

The resignations, including those of Ritchie Garcia and Amparo "Weena" Lim, were coursed through Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino "Nonong" Cruz, who chairs the Malacañang Search Committee which screens nominees to government positions.

One of the three PSC commissioners who resigned reportedly included Cynthia Carrion, the President’s own classmate and only appointee to the PSC.

"I will have to check that out, perhaps by Monday. All I knew is there were resignations," Tiglao told Palace reporters.

The resignations came more than two weeks after the President tapped former swimming champion Eric Buhain to replace Carlos "Butch" Tuason as chairman of the government sports agency.

Sources said Garcia and Lim, both appointees of former President Joseph Estrada, tendered their courtesy resignations earlier this week. They were both out of their offices Friday when The STAR tried to contact them.

Tuason announced his resignation as PSC chief last Jan. 21 to give the President a "free hand" in the reorganization of the agency. William "Butch" Ramirez, the other Estrada appointee, resigned a few days later.

Carrion was named commissioner early last year to fill in the post vacated by now Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Listed as possible replacements for Ramirez, Garcia and Lim are former national athletes Lydia de Vega (athletics), Bong Coo (bowling) and Benjamin McMurray (judo), ex-PSC commissioner Tisha Abundo, Sultan Punduma Sani of Marawi City and Nemesio "King" Yabut Jr.

Abundo was endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education, Private Schools Athletic Association, the NCR Athletic Association, Philippine Basketball League and National Collegiate Athletic Association.