POC chief reiterates Chaves warning

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. yesterday urged the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to heed former Misamis Oriental Rep. Victorico (Concoy) Chaves’ warning for government to back off from intervening in sports affairs because political interference is cause for sanction by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Cojuangco cited the recent suspension of the Kuwait Olympic Committee (KOC) by the IOC due to a provision that allows government involvement in the election of sports officials.

“The KOC is not just a simple National Olympic Committee (NOC),” said Cojuangco. “The KOC president Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahd Al Sabah is also the Olympic Council of Asia president and the Kuwait deputy prime minister. Yet, the IOC went ahead to suspend the KOC because of political intervention.”

Cojuangco said the PSC Law, authored by Chaves, clearly defines government’s role in sports and it rules out political interference.

“Concoy knows the PSC Law better than anyone as he sponsored it on the floor,” continued Cojuangco. “He in fact was more active in sports than I was as he was also president of the Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association while I was involved in supporting junior golf. The law is very clear. In fact, we’re very careful not to receive funding directly from the government treasury as it may lead to an inquiry from the IOC.”

Cojuangco said as the law is clear, there is nothing to discuss with PSC chairman Harry Angping on how to relate with the POC and the National Sports Associations (NSAs).

“I don’t think the PSC chairman understands the law,” said Cojuangco. “If he just follows the law, there’s no need for a dialogue with us. There shouldn’t be any quarrel or disagreement.”

Cojuangco said it is time to revisit the provisions of the PSC Law and suggest amendments to improve on the legislation.

“It’s been 20 years (since the promulgation of the PSC Law) and I think a few amendments are in order,” he said. “One of the amendments being considered is for two or three PSC commissioners to come from a list of nominees by the POC and NSAs. That should establish a level of rapport necessary to coordinate the activities of the POC and the PSC. We were supposed to discuss some amendments last December but the meeting was postponed due to the Laos Southeast Asian Games.”

Cojuangco said he has often clarified that the POC and the PSC are distinct organizations.

“I am not an appointee of President Arroyo,” said Cojuangco. “I think some people may be under the impression that the POC is a government entity. The POC is a private organization while the PSC is a government agency.”

Cojuangco was elected to a second term as POC president by the qualified NSA representatives of the General Assembly in 2008.

Cojuangco said it is important to appreciate the intention of the law and not just understand the piece of legislation by the letter.

“I remember during the fifth Philippine Congress in 1962-65, (majority floor leader) Congressman (Justiniano) Montano articulately pointed out the importance of understanding the intention of the law with regard to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes support for horseracing,” said Cojuangco who represented the first district of Tarlac in that Congress. “The main purpose was to support horse-breeding in the Philippines. That appreciation was important and no less than Cong. Montano made it clear.”

Cojuangco said Chaves’ call for the PSC to desist from interfering in the affairs of the POC and the NSAs can’t be ignored because the IOC will not tolerate political intervention.

Chaves took exception to the PSC’s recent pronouncement that it will play a major role in selecting national athletes for the coming Asian Games in Guangzhou. He called it “a clear desecration of IOC provisions” and reminded the PSC that “the selection and training of athletes is the exclusive prerogative of the POC and the NSAs.”

Chaves said the PSC should not in any way interfere with the affairs of the POC and the NSAs and may only maintain “visitorial powers” to ensure the funds it is authorized to disburse are spent for the purpose they are released.