Former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has been cleared in a graft case involving funds meant for the training of swimmers from the Philippine national team.
The decision was recently handed down by the Supreme Court’s second division, when it reversed the earlier decision of the Sandiganbayan.
The Sandiganbayan earlier convicted former Philippine Gaming Corporation chairman Ephraim Genuino, another former PAGCOR chief president, Rafael Francisco, and Ramirez over the illegal transfer of P37 million of public funds to the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA).
Ramirez appealed his case before the high tribunal, which eventually set aside the charge due to the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A graft case was filed against the three officials following Pagcor’s direct release of P37,063,488.21 in multiple disbursements to the PASA, the national sport association for swimming.
The fund release took place for 18 months during the first term of Ramirez as PSC chief in 2008 and 2009.
The prosecution argued that these transfers violated Section 26 of the Republic Act 6847.
RA 6847 states that “5 percent of the gross income of Pagcor should be automatically remitted to the PSC.’’
Ramirez stated that Pagcor’s direct release of funds to PASA was without his knowledge and consent.
The former PSC chief said that Pagcor’s disbursements were direct financial assistance to the local swimming body, and it was deductible from PAGCOR’s operational expenses.
He added that this is not part of the PSC’s 5-percent share from Pagcor’s gross monthly income.
Based on the Supreme Court’s resolution, the direct release of funds to PASA was a unilateral action of Pagcor.
The court said that Ramirez did not give any unwarranted benefit or advantage to PASA at the expense of other athletes or national sports associations (NSAs).