Cojuangco as POC, PSC head possible

(Last of two parts)

MANILA, Philippines - The terms of the PSC chairman and his four commissioners are co-terminus with that of the President’s, and when Gloria Arroyo steps down on June 30, and Noynoy Aquino takes over, chairman Harry Angping and commissioners Akiko Thomson, Eric Loretizo, Jose Mundo and Fr. Vic Uy will have to go as well.

Angping said out of delicadeza, he will submit his letter of resignation to Malacañang on June 30, and will leave it to the new President whether to accept, deny or reject it. Aquino, as the new Chief Executive, will have the sole prerogative to name the replacements, and this early a few names have cropped up to take over Angping’s position. They are Manny Lopez of boxing, Ricky Vargas, also of boxing, Mark Joseph of swimming, Steve Hontiveros of bowling, ex-PSC chief Philip Juico, ex-PSC commissioner Ritchie Garcia and Jun Jun Capistrano of Ateneo.

Or it could be none of the above.

Romasanta said a few days ago, that changes in the PSC leadership will come as the new administration takes over, and assured everyone that the changes won’t affect the morale of the national athletes headed to the Guangzhou Asian Games.

“The athletes may even look at the changes as a fresh start,” he said.

Cojuangco, for his part, said, “Definitely it will have an effect but I’m sure that it will be for the better. As it is, we’re not sure about the funding of our athletes to the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China (in November) but once the appointments in the PSC come in, I can assure the entire Philippine delegation of a better future.”

And Angping, former Manila congressman and former head of the RP softball association, under whose watch the athletes enjoyed an unprecedented increase in their allowances as well as cash incentives and other benefits, said all he’s hoping for is for the next PSC chairman to continue his plans and programs aimed at the 2012 London Olympics and onwards.

However, naming the members of the new PSC board could take longer than expected because the new President will have more important things to do before he touches sports, and recently there were talks that Cojuangco may end up assuming both roles, that of being the POC president and the one in charge of the PSC, even for a limited time.

Cojuangco can take charge of everything as the country prepares for and competes in the Asian Games, and let the replacements come in by December or January next year.

This will ensure that the preparations for the quadrennial event will go on smoothly, with only one man calling the shots on behalf of the 30 NSAs that will represent the country in Guangzou, and the government’s funding arm.

The PSC may spend around P100 million for the Asian Games, including the training expenses in the next five months and the actual competition, including the allowances of the athletes and coaches, their uniforms, equipment, airfare, and board and lodging in Guangzhou.

“That I will request from Noynoy. That he put somebody who no longer needs to go through the getting-to-know-you process. He should be someone who already knows how to run the programs and projects in Philippine sports,” Cojuangco said a few days ago.

“I have suggested it before, that the POC and the NSAs be given a say in the selection process. We need to make sure that whoever is appointed to the PSC will have understanding with those at the POC. We must ensure a harmonious relationship between the PSC and the POC,” he added.

Cojuangco being in charge of everything for at least a limited time is possible.

But Romasanta, chef-de-mission of the RP Team to the coming Asian Games, said it may be easier said than done.

“Gintong Alay was carefully crafted and placed directly under the Office of the President. And still, Michael Keon was criticized for being the Gintong Alay head and wanting to be the POC head at the same time. But that was a practicality then and could still be the practicality now,” he said.

“Because if you are with the NSAs and you’re also the one handling the funding, it would be easier to do this, have only one person in charge of it all,” Romasanta added.

“Right now, that may be difficult to do,” said Romasanta, who’s also being considered to be the next PSC chairman.