Chiz urges GMA's full support to RP sports

MANILA, Philippines - While respecting the prerogative of the appointing power, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday urged Malacañang to give its all-out support to newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Harry Angping, whose hands would be full as the country is pressed to deliver despite the very limited chances at winning in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

Escudero also said the Laos SEA Games in December are a short-term target, with the 2012 Olympics in London remaining as the prime beef of the Philippine buildup.

The youthful lawmaker said President Arroyo will be the biggest factor in making the expected short term of Angping as PSC chief a success if she could convince the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to revert to its old computation, giving its full five percent remittance from its gross revenues to the PSC as mandated by Republic Act 6847, or the law that gave birth to the PSC in 1990.

“Otherwise, Chairman Angping will only encounter the same problems faced by past PSC chairmen William Ramirez and Carlos Tuason,” Escudero said. “If it can’t be done, sayang naman ang pagpapalit ng liderato sa PSC.”

“Expectations are very high on the new PSC leadership. We expect fresh ideas and reinvigorated approach to various national sports programs under Chairman Angping, but if the PSC will continue spreading its resources very thin, then parang wala rin namang nagbago,” Escudero said.

Angping is expected to serve the PSC for less than two years. Another PSC revamp is expected soon after the May 2010 presidential elections.

“That is why we are batting for a fixed term for the PSC chairman, para hindi nai-interrupt ang mga projects ng PSC,” Escudero said.

“Often, we change horses in midstream. So, along with the leadership changes, nagbabago din ang takbo ng mga proyekto. We’ve observed the same thing happened in sports. Sana lang ay maituloy at mapalakas pa ang mga proyekto para sa ating kampanya para sa Olimpiyada,” Escudero added.

Escudero, however, said Pagcor’s support to the country’s Olympic drives is the most crucial.

“We’ve read about former Chairman Ramirez’s gripes, or regrets as he called it. May they serve as a wake up call for our officials and Pagcor. Kapag walang suporta, mahirap talagang manalo ng ginto sa Olympics,” Escudero said.

Last week, Ramirez was quoted as saying: “If only I managed to do that, then Pagcor should be remitting P100 million a month to the PSC, and that should be enough to cover our grassroots and elite programs.”