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Friday, March 29, 2024

PSC inks pact with Justice Department

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Mishandled financial assistance and criminal cases involving athletes, coaches and sports officials can now be properly tackled by the Philippine Sports Commission with the help of the Department of Justice.

PSC inks pact with Justice Department
PSC Chairman William Ramirez shakes hands with DOJ Asec. Margaret V. Castillo-Padilla to finalize the agreement between the two government bodies. At left is  PSC Deputy Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez said they will be able to implement their mandate and pursue cases involving national sports associations, athletes and officials after the agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the DOJ yesterday.

“I’m a little surprised, but very positive because we need inter-government collaboration,” said Ramirez, who signed an agreement with DOJ Asec. Margaret V. Castillo-Padilla, who represented DOJ Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra.

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PSC Deputy Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy was also present during the signing ceremony at the PSC Administrative Bldg., Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.

“The DOJ would like to assure the PSC that whatever assistance it needs regarding prosecution and criminal investigation, the DOJ will be there to assist them. This is to foster accountability among NSAs and similar financial assistance the PSC has granted to them,” said Castillo-Padilla.

Iroy stated that for the past 28 years, it was the first time that PSC partnered with DOJ.

“We are hoping that this positive move will help create unity,” he said.

In line with the requirements of the DOJ, the sports agency will form a task force that will coordinate and work closely on standing cases and other conflicts that may be referred by the PSC.

Last year, the NBI filed cases of malversation of government funds against Philippine Karatedo Federation official Raymund Lee-Reyes before the Prosecutor’s Office of the City of Manila.

Lead agent Moises Tamayo informed the PSC of their action, some 10 months after members of the national karatedo team underwent a 20-day training stint in Germany in 2017, July.

Six members of the national squad were among those who filed complaints before the PSC and cases of malversation of public funds and property were eventually pursued against Reyes, who alleged that they did not fully receive their allowances during the trip.

During the probe done by the NBI, the agency suspended financial assistance to the PKF and withdrew its privilege of holding office within the premises of the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.

The separate probes also questioned athletes, coaches and PKF officials to find out what happened  to funds amounting to around P3.217 million.

Ramirez earlier warned that NSAs that continue to have internal disputes and unliquidated financial assistance will no longer receive help from the PSC next year.

In the first quarter of the year, the agency will withhold funding on the erring NSAs if there is internal conflict and if funding is not liquidated within 30 days.”‹

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