Ramirez sees ‘an opportunity’ out of PSC-POC row

CEBU, Philippines - One may perceive a conflict arising from two parties with negativity, but at times there is a positive charge that comes out of it.

That is as far as Philippine Sports Commission chairman William 'Butch' Ramirez is concerned.

From his own standpoint, Ramirez said the squabble between the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee presents an opportunity.

There may be trials and challenges along the way, but Ramirez said that is the kind of path they want to take in an effort to chart a better and right direction for Philippine sports.

"As to the conflict between the PSC and the POC, I look at things differently," said Ramirez while presenting three salient points on how he deals with the trouble.

"First as PSC chair, I am determined to take my journey to implement the law," he added. "Secondly, conflict for me is an opportunity. It can give us a clear line between the POC and PSC. Lastly, we did not create the conflict."

Ramirez took a swipe at POC President Jose 'Peping" Cojuangco for telling the PSC to stop meddling with the activities of the POC. Cojuangco reasoned out that the PSC has no business in training elite athletes and interfering with POC's affairs as its main focus is on grassroots sports development.       

But Ramirez can't unlock the logic behind Cojuangco's statement.

"POC gets their funding from the PSC so we have all the rights to get involve, to interfere and to meddle (in their affairs). That's common sense. For example in a household, if a parent gives his child money to buy something, does the parent don't have the right to ask for the change or just ask what happened to the money?" said Ramirez.

"We are taking here about people's money and everybody must be made accountable. That's what we call transparency," he continued. "Now they want us to stop meddling. If so, they should also stop asking money from us as simple as that."

Ramirez has assured though that their commitment to the Filipino athletes remain strong despite the country's two pillars in sports that are duty-bound to compliment one another are not at loggerheads with each other. (EBV)(FREEMAN)