Carrion accuses Puentevella of spearheading ouster move

Philippine Sports commissioner Cynthia Carrion has accused Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella of orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at booting her out of her current post.

"I don’t know the people who signed the resolution but I would be happy to talk to each and every one of them," said Carrion reacting to The STAR story which came out yesterday.

"But I don’t think it’s necessary because I know the resolution came from one person, and that is Monico Puentevella," added Carrion.

A group of 25 congressmen, most of whom affiliated to different political parties and members of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development chaired by Puentevella, filed a resolution calling for the ouster of Carrion.

The group has accused Carrion of committing "acts inimical to the unity of the PSC board," usurping the functions of the PSC chair and appointing Agnes Cruz as an executive assistant. Cruz reportedly had an unliquidated account with the PSC.

Carrion branded the group’s accusations as non-issues. She said Cruz has secured documents clearing her from the controversy involving a P500,000 unliquidated sum to the PSC.

"Agnes Cruz is a very efficient person and I want her efficiency in my office," said Carrion. "And besides, I wouldn’t hire her (Cruz) if she doesn’t have documents clearing her from those controversies."

Carrion also stressed that she never did see eye to eye with Puentevella since she was named commissioner in 2001, four months after Puentevella resigned to run for Congress in Bacolod City.

At the same time, there were reports President Arroyo may soon announce the two commissioners who will take over the posts of former PSC officials Ritchie Garcia and Wenna Lim. The two commissioners resigned days after former PSC chair Butch Tuason submitted his resignation to the President.