PSC to SEAG refs, officials: Be fair and square

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez has issued a reminder to local officials who will handle non-measurable sports in the coming SEA Games: Be fair and square.

"The PSC stand is that honesty is the best policy in the realms and the quest for sports excellence. We want the Filipino athletes to win on competency and their abilities," he said.

"Thus our sports officials should be honest and transparent because success in sports is not only measured in medals but in our character and humanity," added the PSC chief 27 days before the start of the Games.

The reminder came amid reports than the head coach of the Indonesian boxing team has expressed guarded optimism regarding the officiating of boxing matches to be held in Bacolod City.

Wiem Gomies, the Indon coach, said while he has prepared their boxers to the fullest, the officiating, aside from the luck of the draw, would play a very crucial role in their bid for the gold.

To help allay these fears, Ramirez has called for honesty in the officiating of non-measurable sports like boxing, taekwondo, wushu, judo, karatedo, gymnastics and even dance sports.

Manny Lopez, president of Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, has assured the Indonesia coach of "fair and impartial" officiating.

"I would like to dispel his (Wiem) apprehensions because never in our hosting of international boxing competitions were there instances of protests regarding the officiating," he said.

Lopez, who is also secretary-general of the Asian Amateur Boxing Federation, said everything will be done according to rules.

"We’ve hosted two SEA Games in the past, a number of Mayor’s Cups and a couple of Olympic qualifying events and never has a protest been filed before us," he said.