Athletes denounce PSC chief

MANILA, Philippines - A group calling themselves national athletes when most of them are not stormed the Philippine Sports Commission premises yesterday, demanding the resignation of PSC chairman Harry Angping whom they accused of graft and corrupt practices before the Ombudsman.

Former SEA Games gold medalist Marcus Valda led the protesters, numbering close to 50. He accused Angping of malversation of public funds in connection with the country’s hosting of the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships at the Philsports Arena last July 9-12.

Joining Valda, now vice president of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines, in the mid-afternoon exercise were women’s billiards champion Rubilen Amit, URCC (Universal Realty Combat Championship) founder Alvin Aguilar and a bunch of young cyclists and their coaches.

As the rallyists neared the PSC administrative building, they were met by two dozen anti-riot policemen and PSC security personnel who prevented them from marching on. The rallyists, which included non-athletes and a barker who hurled anti-Angping slogans over the megaphone, obliged.

Later on, Valda tried to set an effigy of the PSC chairman and former Manila congressman on fire but was prevented by security men from doing so. The rallyists peacefully dispersed after more than an hour but vowed to return for stronger, bigger actions until they attain their goal.

Valda said they did not enjoin most of the athletes to join yesterday’s rally for fear of reprisal from Angping.

Alberto Balde, WAP president, was also on hand, rattling off charges that Angping failed in his promise to help the group run the international tournament of 50 countries and 500 participants. He complained that they were left alone, and the country was put in a very bad light.

“We were totally embarrassed before the foreigners,” said Valda, claiming that the P3 million which Angping promised them as financial support never reached their hands. “I’ve been here for quite a while but it’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this from the PSC.”

Earlier in the day, Valda and company went to the Office of the Ombudsman where they filed a formal criminal charge against the PSC chairman. They alleged that the P3 million was misappropriated, and therefore Angping should be charged in violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act.

Valda said the issue has affected the morale of the athetes gearing up for the Laos SEA Games in December.

Angping, who is in China, issued a statement through text.

“Today is the saddest day in Philippine sports. While the PSC has been trying its best to improve the working conditions and welfare of athletes and coaches we have in our midst people clothed as saviors of sports using innocent and paid rallyists demanding unreasonable things. It’s truly very sad,” he said.

Go Teng Kok, the controversial athletics president, was among those who watched on the sidelines. As the protesters dispersed, he told The STAR that he and the Philippine Olympic Committee had no part in the rally. Otherwise, it would have been a bigger one.

Jose Cojuangco, the POC president, also sent a text message, saying, “Ang tropa ng mga atletang sawa at inis na sa katiwalian ni Angping ay maglulunsad ng iba’t ibang klaseng protesta (The group of athletes who are fed up with Angping’s anomalies will launch different types of protests).”   – With report from Reinir Padua