PATAFA threatens suit vs PSC

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association is considering taking legal action against the Philippine Sports Commission for sacking national team coaches Joseph Sy and Roselyn Hamero.

Lawyer Nicanor Sering, a PATAFA board member who represents the suspended coaches, said they might bring the case to the court if the country’s sports-funding agency turns down their demand for talks.

“We want a hearing, if not, we might go to court and file a civil case against him (Jolly Gomez),” said Sering in yesterday’s media briefing at the Orchid’s Garden in Manila.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok has also thrown his full support to Sy and Hamero, who were dropped this month from the PSC payroll for various reasons, among them for alleged falsification of  documents and prolonged absences from the PSC training camp in Baguio.

“All I want is for my national coaches to get due process and a hearing,” said Go.

In an eight-page memo from the PSC board, Sy, who coaches St. Benilde’s track and field squad on the side, was accused of failing to supervise the training of elite athletes in Baguio and allegedly stayed most of the time in Manila, leaving the national team members to train on their own.

Hamero was accused of forging the signature of PATAFA secretary-general Benjamin Silva-Netto, falsifying hurdler Josie Malacad’s qualifying time for her to make the roster to the 2011 Indonesia SEAG.

Both Sy and Hamero, who lost P20,000 each due to the suspension, denied the charges.

PSC executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, speaking in behalf of Gomez and the PSC, said they’ve already set up a meeting this Monday.

“PATAFA sent a letter seeking an audience with the chairman (Richie Garcia),” said Iroy. “That’s why a meeting is set on Monday at 2:30 p.m.”

The filing of cases is okay with us, that’s their right. Anyway, we can defend it,” he added.

Gomez, who is in charge of athletics, declined to comment on the issue.