The Philippine Sports Commission is once again seeking the assistance of the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation in its efforts to get the various national sports associations liquidate the financial assistance provided them by the government sports body.
Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said the PSC is seeking the liquidation of more than P100 million in support that was given to national coaches, athletes and national sports associations.
“Humingi na kami ng tulong sa DOJ and the solicitor general to write the NSAs that have not liquidated, and then humingi ang DOJ sa NBI ng assistance. Our finance department got a subpoena from the NBI requesting the list of NSAs na mayroong unliquidated,” said Fernandez in a Radio Pilipinas 2 interview.
“As of last week, may mga P100 million pa na hindi nali-liquidate, padadalhan muna ng demand letter ‘yun ng NBI. There’s a process for that, may puwersa na lang ngayon dahil hindi na PSC at finance department or legal ang nagpapadala sa kanila (NSAs) ng demand letter. Gusto naman namin na ang iwanan ang PSC na malinis and liquidation, kasi baka naman kami ang habulin ng COA (Commission on Audit),” added the PSC commissioner.
Fernandez said the PSC needs to put its accounts in order as the Commission of Audit will soon review the financial books of the sports body.
“We supported them (NSAs) fully. And being financially supported by the PSC is not a right, but a privilege,” said Fernandez.
For the last three years, the agency has been in a partnership with the DOJ and the NBI to help ensure good governance among the national sports associations.
With the help of the two government institutions, mishandled financial assistance and criminal cases involving athletes and coaches and other sports officials have been properly tackled by the PSC.
Fernandez echoed PSC chairman William Ramirez’s belief that guidance from the DOJ is needed since accountability is expected of the PSC.
The PSC has been adopting a “no liquidation, no assistance” policy for the last three years.
This is for NSAs which have internal disputes and those that have unliquidated financial assistance within 30 days after getting funds from the PSC.
In line with the requirements of the DOJ, the agency is now creating a task force that will coordinate and work closely on standing cases and other conflicts that may be referred by the PSC.