Donate equipment to nat’l athletes — Garcia

Count the Philippine Sports Commission out as a prospective buyer.

This was the response of PSC commissioner Richie Garcia to plans by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee of selling slightly-used sports equipment and assets worth P100 million to settle unpaid bills in last December’s staging of the biennial meet.

"These sports equipment are Philsoc property, they can donate it or give it to the PSC for the use of our national athletes if they want," Garcia said after yesterday’s ceremonial blessing of his office at the PSC administration building that marked his return to the agency.

"We’ve helped them (Philsoc) enough already," he added.

And should the Philsoc decides to sell, Garcia said they have to pay its duties since the imported equipment were purchased under the agency’s name tax-free.

"You can’t sell these equipment without first paying duties," explained Garcia.

Steve Hontiveros, secretary-general of both the Philsoc and the Philippine Olympic Committee, said the other day proceeds of the planned sale would be used to pay up debts to those who provided various services during the Games.

When Garcia called him up yesterday, Hontiveros said they aren’t selling the equipment.

"I talked to him (Hontiveros), he told me they’re not selling anything," Garcia said.

The sports equipment purchased by the Philsoc include state-of-the-art bicycles, boats, shooting and gymnastics equipment.