PSC bill passage could face delay

It will take a few more months before the new bill seeking to amend RA 6847 that created the Philippine Sports Commission will be calendared for discussion in Congress.

Bacolod Congressman Monico Puentevella said it’s highly unlikely that the new bill, filed by Rep. Renato Unico Jr., will be tackled immediately since Congress is busy with more pressing matters.

"Their intentions are noble, realistically, our problem is time," said Puentevella after attending Wednesday’s Philippine Olympic Committee General Assembly.

Puentevella said high on the agenda are the national budget, the across-the-board wage hike and automation of the upcoming elections.

"There are many problems in Congress, we have two weeks left before we take a break," said Puentevella.

"If it’s going to be done, it will only happen only after the elections," he added.

One provision in the proposed amendment is a fixed six-year term for the PSC chair and commissioners, but their terms will be staggered similar to those of senators.

This, Cojuangco said, will ensure continuity of PSC projects and programs regardless of who are occupying the top posts of the sports agency.

Another provision requires that the PSC chair and commissioners must be recommended by the POC so they’ll be in the know on what’s happening in RP sports. — J. Villar