PSC chief slams demolition job

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez yesterday said allegations of corrupt practices being hurled against him are all part of a "demolition job" aimed at booting him out of office.

At the same time, Ramirez said he will not run away from these allegations, and would rather face them point by point, case by case so he could clear his name and continue working for the government sports agency.

"I have done nothing wrong so I will face these charges," said Ramirez in a long-distance call from Davao City where he was special guest at the ongoing National Chess Congress.

The Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission are reportedly looking into allegations that Ramirez illegally withdrew P10 million from the Brent International School.

The exclusive school sits inside the government-owned Philports Sports Complex in Pasig and pays rent to the PSC. The P10 million represents an advance rental payment used to renovate the sports complex.

"I’m asking those behind these demolition job to go directly to Brent. And I haven’t received any letter from the Ombudsman. But I will answer these charges when the proper time comes," Ramirez said.

"I will not back down from this fight. I will not allow myself to be harassed. I will remain strong. As I’ve said before, I will leave the PSC without enriching myself," the PSC chairman vowed.

Ramirez said various charges and allegations were hurled against him since he took over the PSC last year, and started implementing drastic changes in certain policies.

"In implementing these changes some people were hurt. Otherwise, they have nothing against me. I continue to stay with the athletes at Ultra (Philsports), and maintain a modest house in Davao. They can even check my bank book," he said.

"Talagang may galit lang ang ibang tao sa probinsiyanong ito na naging chairman ng PSC. (Some people are really mad that this boy from the countryside became chairman of the PSC)," he said.