Chiz says PSC must heed call of RP bets

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday urged leaders of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to establish a more open line of communication with the national athletes, saying they cannot choose between athletes whose allegiance are also torn between PSC allies and critics.

Escudero cited the recent rally staged by several athletes affiliated with wrestling and from factions in billiards and cycling as an “unfortunate evidence of a clear division” that permeates the air in Philippine sports, which, at this moment “should be rallying under one flag” as the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games are near.

But Escudero also said the PSC, the government’s funding agency in sports, is in a difficult situation as it has to spread its very limited resources to nearly 40 national sports associations (NSAs), majority of which could not seem to raise their own fund to help augment what little support they receive from government.

“Let’s face it, the PSC is in a damn if you do, damn if you don’t situation,” Escudero said, adding: “Sports is not a priority under our present leadership and whoever sits in the PSC will encounter the same problems over and over again, as he will have under his neck, people seeking support, whether the PSC has money to give or none at all.”

A small band of athletes staged a rally against PSC Chairman Harry Angping last Monday and demanded his ouster. The rally was held shortly after the same group filed cases of graft, malversation of public fund and grave coercion against Angping before the Ombudsman.

Escudero said Angping could answer the charges in the proper forum, but while doing so, the PSC should also strengthen its relations with the athletes, the NSAs and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), with which the PSC is at odds over policy matters.