MANILA — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez on Monday said the commission will ‘diligently’ monitor the drama surrounding the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
"The PSC Board will be diligently observing and will not be shy to take drastic measures, in the midst of these developments," said Ramirez in a statement on Tuesday.
Ramirez believes the local sports community is now "in shambles" following the latest developments in POC, in which president Ricky Vargas axed former chief Peping Cojuangco from the constitutional amendments committee chairmanship, and Monsour Del Rosario as the Philippine team's chef de mission for the Southeast Asian Games and called for an early general election in January.
"After the tumultuous event in the yard of our POC partners, we all find ourselves at a crossroads in our journey," he said.
He called on the sports leaders to finally resolve the matter in the POC for the future of local athletes.
"As sports leaders and adults, it is our duty to show our youth that national interest always places ahead of our personal interests," Ramirez said.
"As the Chairman of the PSC, I call upon all our sports leaders to step back and take a moment to consider peaceful interactions. I still believe that we can all sit down and civilly thresh out what needs to be straightened out,” he added.
Ramirez said the PSC is open to host a dialogue between parties and provide neutral ground for everyone “to air their side and ultimately to either sacrifice or step-up in the interest of a unified sporting community.”
The committee leadership revamp in the POC took place while the country is preparing to host for the fourth time the 30th Southeast Asian Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year. (PNA)
