PSC asks coaches to ‘come clean’

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said the PSC may be forced to adjust the salaries of national coaches who at the same time offer their services to private schools, clubs and individuals.

Garcia said they’re not out to deny the coaches additional sources of income and livelihood but the coaches must come clean when they present their credentials to the PSC.

“They cannot present themselves as full-time coaches with the national team when they also spend a lot of time working as coaches to private schools or personal trainers to private individuals,” said Garcia.

“We understand that they need to earn more. For example, a teaching pro (in golf) can earn as much as P2,000 an hour when he can only earn P20,000 a month with the national team,” he added.

Garcia said coaches must make up their mind if they want to serve the national team full time or part time.

“Walang dayaan. Don’t say you’re a full-time coach with the national team when you’re not. We can adjust their salaries if they’re not full-time,” the PSC chief added.

Coaches and trainers serving the different national sports associations get as little as P10,000 to as much as P30,000 a month from the PSC.

Some regional coaches receive P15,000 a month and since they are based in the provinces it’s very difficult for the PSC to monitor their activities.

“Coaches who moonlight must inform the PSC of their schedules. We can reduce or adjust their salaries maybe from P20,000 to P15,000 a month. 

“But there must be a commitment that if the national athletes are preparing for a major international competition, priority goes the national team. We are spending the people’s money here,” Garcia added.

The PSC is cracking the whip on erring national coaches, including Joseph Sy and Roselyn Hamero of the Philippine track and field team.

Based on the findings and recommendations of PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez, that two coaches have been stripped of their allowances from the PSC.

Sy and Hamero said they want due process.

“They are not being singled out here because we are doing the same with the coaches in other sports amid allegations of tampering of records, padded payrolls and absences. But we will listen to them. They will be given the chance to defend themselves,” said Garcia. 

The PSC is putting up a committee to hear the cases but Garcia has yet to name the members.

“They have to be as neutral as possible,” he said.