PSC chief wants to quit with clean record

William "Butch" Ramirez yesterday confirmed reports that he is willing and ready to relinquish his post as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) by the end of the year.

The 56-year-old educator who came from humble beginnings feels that he has done his share for Philippine sports by being part of the controversy-ridden agency since 2000.

"For me, that’s enough," said Ramirez following published reports that he is stepping down after the 15th Asian Games in Doha where he will serve as RP chef-de-mission.

Although a reliable source at the PSC said Ramirez already informed President Arroyo of his decision during a recent meeting, the soft-spoken chairman from Mindanao did not elaborate.

"The President knows it already. But what we talked about I cannot divulge," he told The STAR over the phone.

Ramirez, who was officially appointed by the President as the seventh PSC chairman on July 7, 2005, also said he wants to leave the agency with his name clean, his pride and dignity intact.

"I want to leave the PSC with my name clean," Ramirez, a former seminarian and professor at Ateneo de Davao, often said.

While the PSC is a high-profile agency, which looks after the welfare of the national athletes, a lot of people were surprised when Ramirez, a probinsiyano (province boy), was named chairman.

"Mukhang madami talagang nainggit na ang isang probinsiyanong katulad ko ay naging chairman (It seems that a lot of people envied me for becoming the chairman)," he said.

"And for this rare opportunity I will forever be grateful to President Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo," Ramirez added.

Those who have served as chairman of the PSC since it was created in 1990 were Cecile Hechanova, Aparicio Mequi, former Manila Mayor Gemiliano Lopez, Philip Ella Juico, Butch Tuason and Eric Buhain.

Humility is probably Ramirez’ strongest point. All throughout his stint at the PSC, he stayed with his wife at the athletes’ quarters at Philsports, and kept an old Toyota FX or Hi-Ace as his service vehicle.

But while he helped maintain decency at the PSC, Ramirez was not spared by criticisms from certain sectors of the sports community. Athletics chief Go Teng Kok turned out to be his staunchest critic.

"In instituting certain policies some people got hurt. But it’s my job. And I will never allow myself to feel harassed by these people because I was never afraid to lose this job," he said.

"I serve under the pleasure of the President. And if I feel it’s time to go, then it’s time to go. I will not hang on to the position," added Ramirez, who became part of the PSC in 2000 when he became a commissioner.

This early, Ramirez is looking forward to his life after the PSC. He said he will be busy running the Peace Through Sports program of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

But first, he has to be in Doha in December for the Asian Games —probably his last official act as chairman of the PSC.