Delinquent NSAs may get amnesty - Garcia

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission newly installed chairman Richie Garcia plans to push for an amnesty on National Sports Associations (NSAs) with unliquidated funds with the government sports agency.

“Maybe we can look for a way to declare an amnesty,” said Garcia yesterday during a press briefing also attended by newly appointed commissioners Buddy Andrada, Jolly Gomez and Chito Loyzaga.

The fourth commissioner, Akiko Thomson, actually a holdover of the previous administration, is out of the country.

Garcia is no stranger to the PSC, having served as commissioner in two previous administrations, and during the press briefing he looked at ease occupying the chairman’s seat inside the PSC boardroom.

He laid down his immediate goals as chairman of the sports agency, foremost of which is to forge unity between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee under Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

Garcia, whose appointment paper was signed by President Aquino last Monday, met with Cojuangco yesterday, saying one of the topics they discussed was the amnesty for the NSAs with unliquidated cash advances.

Former PSC chairmen Butch Ramirez and Harry Angping went hard against NSAs with unliquidated cash advances amounting to as much as P80 million. While some have complied, there are others who failed.

Garcia said it may be time to call for amnesty. But only for those who deserve it.

“There are some where the unliquidated cash advances involved NSA heads who are no longer in power, and involved cases of many years ago. So, it’s quite unfair if you go after the current officials,” said Garcia.

However, the sportsman from Bacolod doubted if the government would allow a “write-off” of the unliquidated cash advances because it could set a very bad precedent to other cases involving the other government agencies.

“Maybe we can have someone look into this. I’m in favor of amnesty, especially if it involves former NSA heads who are either no longer in power or have already passed away,” he said.

However, Garcia said that if the questioned cash advances involve officials who are still in power, then there’s no amnesty to talk about.

“They will be made liable,” he said.

Garcia said there’s a lot of work to be done as chairman, and he hoped to accomplish them with the help of all the NSAs under the care of the PSC, and the POC.

“Our primary goal is to follow the charter – which deals with athletes’ and coaches’ welfare, grassroots development, funding (for the NSAs) and a nationwide talent identification program, then to forge unity with the POC.

“We hope to keep this office very busy for the whole of six years. This will be an active (PSC) board. And I will revive the old practice where eacho of the four commissioners will be given specific NSAs for them to look after,” Garcia said.

“But we’re not Supermen. And we can’t do everything overnight,” said the new chairman.

There are so many things to address, according to Garcia, and one immediate concern is the coming Asian Games in Guangzhou in November. He said putting up a task force, together with the POC, will be the first step.

“Right now we’re not sure yet who’s going. So do I have any predictions? None at the moment. We need to sit down with the POC,” said Garcia.

Work has indeed begun for the new PSC board.