NSA factions legal rows put PSC in a bind

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Sports Commission is being caught in the crossfire as warring factions in a number of national sports associations or NSAs continue to seek legal remedies to their problems.

Chairman Harry Angping of the PSC, the government’s funding arm in sports, yesterday took notice of the case involving the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines.

The old BSCP faction under Yen Makabenta as president and Ernie Fajardo as chairman was granted a TRO (temporary restraining order) by the Makati Regional Trial Court the other day, enjoining the new set of officers from functioning as such.

The new group headed by Bong Ilagan as president and Putch Puyat as chairman held its elections last March 31 and enjoyed the blessings of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

But Makabenta’s group sought and was granted the TRO, and now the problem in billiards continues. The STAR was trying to get a comment from Puyat as of presstime.

“That is my predicament,” said Angping of the fact that there remains two groups claiming to be the rightful NSA in billiards – practically the same problem in wushu, badminton, cycling, wrestling, archery and equestrian.

“But I may end up supporting both sides (in billiards) because there are good players on one side, and there are also good players on the other side,” said Angping, the former softball president.

“My focus is on the athletes, not those on top of them although I’m hoping that once and for all these disputes are settled. It’s getting to be messy,” he added.

The court granting the TRO in billiards could continue to set a very bad precedent in Philippine sports.

“Now everybody can get a TRO and we may see a lot of them. But again, my focus is on the athletes regardless of their loyalty. As long as they are qualified to represent the country, I will support them.”

Angping, a former congressman, said the POC under Jose Cojuangco will also have “to respect” the TRO while it remains in place.

“There are TROs good for 24 hours and there are TROs good for 20 days. The defendant will have to answer then the judge decides if it will be lifted or if it becomes permanent,” said the PSC chief.