Buhain, Puentevella firm on Carrion ouster

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain said commissioner Cynthia Carrion’s penchant for dropping the name of President Arroyo "every now and then" is just one of the reasons why the ouster of the former aerobics president from the PSC is being sought.

Buhain, along with commissioners William "Butch" Ramirez, Leon Montemayor and Ritchie Garcia, wrote President Arroyo last April 24 asking for the removal of Carrion, who took over the post vacated by now Bacolod Congressman Monico Puentevella early last year.

"We believe that the immediate removal of Ms. Carrion is the solution, if not the ultimate medicine, to finally help the Commission achieve (a) greater sense of direction and collaboration," the letter signed by Buhain and the three commissioners said.

"This is for the good of RP sports. And the PSC badly needs synchronicity as the agency can maintain its focus, especially at this time when corporate sponsorships are starting to pour in," a high-ranking PSC official said yesterday.

Garcia, however, is no longer part of the PSC board, having been replaced by Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled (Philspada) president Mike Barredo as of Wednesday. Barredo’s appointment was signed by the President last April 16.

Buhain said Carrion has been pressuring him to sign the appointment papers of a certain Agnes Cruz, the female commissioner’s executive assistant, by dropping the name of the President. Carrion and the President are former classmates at Assumption.

Cruz allegedly continues to hold the sensitive position despite unliquidated cash advances of close to P.5 million to the PSC. Carrion also allows her to sign and process official papers for and in her behalf, according to the letter.

Carrion said these charges are "simply not true," and that she’ll "let it go for a while, pray on it" before she answers them.

Puentevella, chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, backed up the charges hurled against Carrion and told The STAR in a phone interview yesterday that he is fully supporting the move of Buhain and the other commissioners.

"Whatever chairman Buhain and the other commissioners decide, I’m with them. I will support them all the way as long as it’s for the good of Philippine sports. Whatever they are united for and whatever they stand for, I’m with them," he said.

Buhain said the PSC will come up with an official statement tomorrow when he holds a press conference at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex VIP Lounge. Puentevella said he will also come up with an official statement tomorrow. –With Abac Cordero