THANKFUL. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann in this undated photo. Bachmann on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) thanked the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) for removing the Philippines in its compliance watch list. (PNA photo)
MANILA – The Philippines has been removed from the compliance watch list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
According to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), WADA already cleared the Philippines from its compliance watch list, saying that the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) has undertaken corrective measures to comply with the WADA Code and the pending compliance procedure has been closed.
“I am pleased to confirm that in light of the latest developments, the Compliance Review Committee has decided to sign off the remaining pending critical corrective actions relating to testing and results management,” WADA’s Chief Compliance Manager Emiliano Simonelli stated in an email sent to PHI-NADO head Dr. Alejandro Pineda.
“As a result, the compliance procedure has now been closed and the case will not be filed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann thanked WADA and PHI-NADO, saying the country would continue its advocacy in building a sporting venue free from any doping activities.
“We would like to thank WADA for all the support to resolve all issues. The PSC, in coordination with PHI-NADO, will continue to make improvements and propose the proper legislation in compliance with the WADA Code 20.5.1 to avoid future issues,” Bachmann said in a statement released to the media on Tuesday.
The PSC was notified through the PHI-NADO in September last year to comply with the WADA Code but has barely responded since.
In a notification to the PSC dated Jan. 23, 2024, WADA warned that the Philippines stands the risk of the flag not being flown at the Paris Olympics and the Paralympic Games and in all regional and continental – Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games – and the world championships unless the PSC complies with the WADA Code. (PNA)
