CHED, NCAA, PRISAA endorse Abundo for PSC post

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) directors and heads of educational institutions have endorsed to President Arroyo the appointment of Teresita "Tisha" Abundo as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The CHED cited Abundo for her "honesty, organizational ability and competence," an offshoot of her successfully leading the Federation of Higher Education Sports Association (FHESA) as founding president in managing the 2000 CHED National Games.

Other athletic associations -- the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA-NCR), the Iloilo Tertiary Schools Sports Association (ITSSA) and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) -- also acknowledged the role that Abundo played in the organization of youth sports programs.

Other sectors from the academe that endorsed the appointment of Abundo are the Philippine Association of Physical Educators, Inc. (PAPE), whose membership includes regional chiefs and teachers of physical education and school sports of the Department of Education; the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP. C.H.K.); and the St. Bridget School, all recognizing her for her professional integrity, dedication and competence.

The St. Bridget School principal, in her letter to President Arroyo, said: "Her record of accomplishments as athlete, a sports academician, organizer and dedicated worker. . . would add greatly in improving the quality of the Philippine sports program and achievements both in local and international competitions."

The Philippine Sportswriters Association, on the other hand, noted that Abundo, "whose lifelong experience and involvement in sports as an outstanding national athlete, coach, physical education teacher, a sports leader and organizer, possesses the qualifications" (of a PSC official who is capable of) "addressing the prioritization of sports; (undertake) policy study, formulation and development; as well as in forging peaceful and harmonious relationships among members of the sports community in the quest for sports excellence."

As a teacher of long standing, Abundo is familiar with the pedagogical principles of PE and sports, an attribute which enables her to work closely with the academe. Former sports editor and veteran newsman, Tito Tagle, describes Abundo as one who "has sports at heart, she has many ideas, she is an organization woman and a leader. She also is easy to get along with," Tagle said.