Palaro fate up in Palace meeting

Whether or not the Palarong Pambansa will take place in June will be the subject of a crucial meeting among Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, Education Secretary Raul Roco, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Eric Buhain, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, and Rep. Monico Puentevella at 9 tomorrow morning in Malacañang.

Puentevella confirmed the meeting in an overseas phonecall to The Star from Bangkok yesterday. The Bacolod Congressman joined President Arroyo in her visits to Malaysia and Thailand this week. He said during the trip, he spoke to the Chief Executive about the Palarong Pambansa and disclosed that she would support the decision reached in tomorrow’s meeting.

"I appealed to the President for reconsideration," said Puentevella. "I made the appeal in behalf of 8,000 athletes who are aspiring to compete in the Palaro."

Puentevella said he is backing up Buhain’s bid to stage the Palaro in June because "we can’t afford another setback in our sports development program, considering the Palaro was not held last year."

Puentevella said he has personally appealed to Secretary Roco for a change of heart. It was Roco who reset the Palaro to January next year because of the "haphazard logistical support flowing from the cavalier attitude of the PSC."

Puentevella, however, cited three reasons to Roco why the Palaro should push through –first, because the money is available; second, because the President has agreed to be the guest of honor at the opening rites on June 3; and third, because a postponement will disenfranchise hundreds, if not thousands, of athletes who are graduating this year and will no longer be eligible to compete in January.

Puentevella also said he has briefed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja on the case of Cebu fighter Sonny Boco who lies bedridden in a frontier Thai town hospital after suffering head injuries from a bout last April 11. He said Baja reported the case to the President who instructed the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok to look into Boco’s condition.

Puentevella said he turned over several articles reporting on Boco’s plight published in The Star to Baja. He expected a report from the Embassy staff to the President late last night. Puentevella said he is certain that newly-appointed Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Sonia Cataunber-Brady will look after Boco who has undergone two brain surgeries.

Boco’s release from the hospital is pending because Thai boxing officials refuse to pay more than 10 percent of his bills.

"This is a Foreign Affairs issue which is why I coursed the matter to Undersecretary Baja," explained Puentevella. "But I was told the President has given direct instructions to immediately look into Boco’s situation."

Puentevella said on the flight back to Manila early this morning, he hopes to find the opportunity to take up Boco’s case with the President and set a date for when the Chief Executive can disburse the P40 Million in incentives to former national athletes who reaped honors for the country.

Puentevella said Buhain asked him to brief the President on the incentives program because the funds are now ready for distribution.