PSC forms body to end infighting within NSAs

Enough is enough. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has vowed to restore order by forming a body that will look into various controversies and infightings within various national sports associations (NSAs).

PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez revealed that the Grievance and Arbitration Committee has been formed and will be headed by Acting Executive Director Carlo Abarquez and PSC Legal Consultant Ramsey Quijano.

The committee will also investigate complaints of athletes and coaches of the various national teams.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said cases will be filed against some individuals if necessary.

“We are doing our job. In due time, we will release our position against NSAs and the POC. One solution that the board is contemplating with all these abuses and corruption issues is to file cases and stop funding and focus on grassroots sports program and leave NSAs and the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) on their own, anyway they are private organizations. Our lawyers are now investigating and arbitrating. We will release our stand when all documents are made available,” Ramirez said in a Facebook post.

Quijano cited the PSC Act, Republic Act (RA) 6847, as PSC’s legal basis to act on the current issues.

“PSC will investigate complaints relating to POC-NSA abuses, mismanagement of affairs, misapplication of resources and corruption through the creation of a Grievance and Arbitration Committee. The legal basis is Section 11 (paragraph) J, M and N of the RA 6847, the PSC Law, which stipulates — PSC has the power to do all acts and things necessary to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions, including – (J) to exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the national sports associations in connection with their sports promotion and development programs with respect to which financial assistance is extended by the Commission; (M) to impose sanctions upon any national sports association, institution, association, body, entity, team, athlete and sports official for violation of its policies, rules and regulations; and (N) to perform any and all other acts incident to or required by virtue of its creation,” Quijano stressed.

“If these things are not corrected and resolved properly, anytime the PSC will suspend and stop funding all NSA’s and POC. But we will continue to support our elite athletes and coaches and will focus on PSC’s Philippine Sports Institute’s grassroots programs in all regions of the country. Please pray and support our athletes and coaches,” Ramirez added.

Fernandez said PSC is particularly looking into the issues surround the Philippine Swimming Inc. and the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association.