The sounds of war

It appears that a war is simmering between the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, a war that will start airing out a lot of dirty linen in public. And it is just about to begin in earnest, with the public having a ringside seat, though they may not necessarily want one.

POC president Celso Dayrit fired the first salvo by voicing out questions about the propriety of certain expenditures of the PSC, namely the final destination of dollar allowances given national athletes in their travels to international competition. Far be it from Dayrit to point out such things, but he has unwittingly opened the door to allow a peek into what may soon become a very messy inquiry.

PSC commissioner Butch Ramirez, one commissioner who is the epitome of integrity, disinterest and selfless service, is supposedly being forced out of office, perhaps because he stands in the way of some plans of PSC chair Eric Buhain. But how would such a move profit anyone? Isn’t it impressive enough that Ramirez’s credentials have allowed him to stay on even though he was appointed during president Estrada’s term? And wasn’t it Ramirez whom President Gloria Arroyo sent to Mindanao to sit among the hierarchy of the peoples of Mindanao and forge a measure of peace at the institutional level? And wasn’t Ramirez given the clout to forge the Mindanao Games which sent the message of peace not only through the archipelago’s largest island, but also to other countries that his humble charisma inevitably drew in?

As this writer has stated before, Ramirez doesn’t need the job, but merely wants to serve the athletes. We wonder if the same can be said of his boss. What can be said about an appointed official who makes it a point to place himself in front of the media, and uses outdated black and white photos of this smaller, more athletic past self in publicity to raise funds for current athletes? Several questions are now being raised about how the PSC is being run, even among the commissioners themselves, who are increasingly feeling left out of the decision-making process.

If Butch Ramirez’s tenure in the PSC is by any means abbreviated, then something is very wrong, indeed, and Buhain would feel the outrage and wrath of a sports fraternity grateful to the quiet teacher from Davao. Ramirez has been efficiently managing the PSC’s concrete resources - its venues - for maximum gain. He has also been a listening ear to the athletes and coaches, who are, ironically enough, complaining of not receiving enough support, and are caught in the middle of political intramurals in the PSC leadership, and in its battles with national sports associations and the POC. And he has powerful allies in the media who would, unbidden, rise up in his defense.

There are many places an investigating agency could look. Are there ghost employees or consultants in the PSC? What of the security and janitorial contracts of the Commission? Which sports receive the most support? What moneys have come into the Commission, and through what means? What new sports complexes and competition venues have been built? How often do PSC officials travel? How is their relationship with the athletes?

In response to a previous piece which mentioned swimmer Lizza Danila, this writer has been informed that some PSC officials did not believe she was qualified to train in swimming in Australia to begin with. If that’s the case, then all the more the PSC bungled. And if it wasn’t, why did the teenager suffer traumatic humiliation by being sent back home when things did not go their way? Even her mother Rose was hopitalized due to a related stress. And what of other endowments, funds and sponsorships, where are they?

Seriously, aside from some regular self-promotion, what has the current PSC done? Even some of his old friends are shaking their heads at how he has changed. The good will his five-gold medal performance in the 1991 Manila SEA Games engendered is eroding fast. And that was the past. What about the next generation of athletes?

Cito Dayrit is a veteran competitor, and a very astute manager. He is keeping some of his cards close to his chest, but has already leaked out an ace. If the government takes the cue and cleans house in the PSC, a lot of things may be unearthed that might only serve to embarrass the PSC and the President.

Now is not the time to blow the trumpet and let slip the dogs of war. But if the PSC’s fractured leadership continues on this course, then it must happen. But let not the innocent athletes continue to suffer. And audit the PSC, the highest government agency in sports. They’re using taxpayers’ money, and besides, we need it.

Why not?