PKF open to dialogue - Cristy

Philippine Karatedo Federation honorary president Cristy Ramos, the former Philippine Olympic Committee president, said they are open to a dialogue with the national karatekas to resolve the current leadership issue.

"Karate does not need any of this. What we need is to talk this one out and PKF is willing to sit down with them (national karatekas) to solve this matter," said Ramos.

Ramos, at the same time, asked Go Teng Kok, who co-chairs the five-man fact-finding body looking into the mess, to follow the steps taken by POC president Celso Dayrit who inhibited himself from the inquiry.

"As long as Go Teng Kok is part of the POC committee looking into this case, we can't expect fairness because we believe he has a grudge against us," Ramos said.

Former POC chief Jose Sering is the committee chairman, with the Ral Rosario, Claudio Altura and Nestor Ilagan as members.

Ramos also took exception to a comment of Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason who charged the Association of the Advancement of Karatedo, which is also headed by PKF chief Pocholo Veguillas, of keeping two government-owned training mats for its own use at its Mandaluyong offices.

"Actually, there were two sets of mats but we're not using both because it has been stored somewhere in the Ultra and the Rizal Memorial," said Ramos. Ramos also said national karatekas had been training at the SM Mega Mall using AAK facilities, for which the PSC does not pay the rent amounting to P35,000 a month.

She said the PKF had to find a place elsewhere to continue the karatekas' training when it was eased out of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex five years ago.

Meanwhile, Tuason said Veguillas must attend a meeting at the PSC on Tuesday to clear his name.

"We've heard a lot of allegations from the resigned karatekas' side. Now we want to hear his side," said Tuason.