Rallyists seek PSC revamp

What was hyped up by certain quarters as a massive, nationwide rally backed by some big-name politicians turned out to be an ordinary one yesterday as only close to a hundred national athletes and coaches started what could be a long, tiring vigil inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The rallyists belonging to the Athletes and Coaches Alliance of the Philippines (ACAP) said they would continue to hold vigil until President Arroyo gives in to their No. 1 demand — a major revamp within the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under Chairman Carlos Tuason.

The athletes and coaches gathered outside the RMSC compound starting at 10 a.m. and were at first barred from entering. Upon the intervention of PSC commissioner Butch Ramirez, they were allowed in just in time for a 12 p.m. mass officiated by Fr. Robert Reyes.

Wearing white t-shirts with the words "GMA Save RP Sports" printed in black, they boldly sought the ouster of Tuason and commissioners Ritchie Garcia and Weena Lim, all Erap appointees like Ramirez. Only commissioner Cynthia Carrion is a GMA appointee.

Except for the presence of a busload of students who came all the way from Angeles City in Pampanga, yesterday’s exercise was a mere replay of the first two rallies staged by almost the same group in Malacañang in the last seven months.

They aired the same gripes — from poor living conditions, lack of training equipment and even vitamins — and lambasted the same people who, they say, no longer have the right to stay in the government sports agency, which was created by former President Corazon Aquino in 1990.

"The PSC will always listen to any group of athletes and their grievances. Points are being taken. We’ve been addressing their problems. Nagtataka lang kung bakit may bata na nanggaling ng Angeles. Hindi naman yata nila alam kung ano ang issue," said Tuason, who is in Baguio.