Is PSC chief Garcia out to do a P-Noy?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jan 2012
IT was long overdue, not unlike a goal coming after the final buzzer had sounded.
Of course, it would also be unfair to call this one a dud, a useless goal.
As the saying goes: Better late than never.
Yesterday, the Inquirer?s Jun Navarro reported that the Philippine Sports Commission has finally decided to put its foot down and go after delinquent national sports associations (NSAs).
?PSC chair Richie Garcia has stressed that non-liquidation of cash advances would result in zero financial aid from the government?s sports funding agency,? Navarro wrote.
**
The report added the PSC was set to release a complete list of NSAs with unliquidated cash advances.
Actually, the PSC earlier released a roster of 58 associations which have unsettled finances worth a combined P130 million.
Problem: No strong action was taken after the list was bared.
Anyway, maybe it was plain coincidence that the PSC boss has decided to wage a fight on the heels of President Noynoy Aquino?s blazing crusade against corruption.
Like it or not, it?s easy to suspect Garcia has been effectively infected by the President?s determined war against wrong-doers in government.
**
Do remember that there had been hints Garcia was on the way out (a scapegoat?) following the scandalous showing by the national contingent in the last Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, where it landed close down the cellar.
Garcia has finally decided to stand up.
Of course, for the record, there was nothing clear if solid strong action would be forthcoming.
As things stood, the threatened cancellation of financial aid to delinquent associations was deemed limp as a sissy rap (on the wrist), irrelevant.
**
Maybe Garcia also deserved some applause.
Sorry, but none was forthcoming.
At least, Garcia?s newfound vehemence has been noticed by athletics chief Go Teng Kok, who has been black-listed by the Philippine Olympic Committee since the day he started a crusade against corrupt practices within the exclusivist national sports hierarchy.
Noting that the POC cannot investigate its own big men, Go challenged Garcia to lead the investigation.
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Go also decided to re-send this text message he had disseminated to the media before the holidays: ?These violators have outstanding millions in unliquidated funds. My question is: why is it that only selective names of NSAs and their heads were identified by you in the report, not those who are your known allies, like the head of the national Olympic Committee, and an ex-congressman who heads a non-performing NSA which you even considered your priority sport??
Go added: ?Funds from the people?s money have been squandered by these NSA heads who are all members of the POC executive board and Kamag-anak Inc. Some are still facing graft charges in the Ombudsman; one is collecting salary for a ghost coach. They have to pay back, face charges and answer to people?s rage against them.?
Go did not say it, but there seems no choice but for the PSC chief to heed the urgent call if he?s to be counted as a worthy soldier of President Noynoy.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
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