Angping seeks talks with Pagcor new chief

MANILA, Philippines - As he continues to function as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Harry Angping is not wasting time ironing things out for the national athletes and his would-be successor.

Angping yesterday said that while Malacañang has yet to name the new members of the PSC board, he plans to sit down with the newly installed chairman of the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp.

Pagcor is the biggest benefactor of amateur sports in the country, and under the law the government-owned-and-controlled agency (GOCC) is tasked to provide the PSC with a percentage of its monthly income.

There’s been a long debate on how much Pagcor, now under the leadership of Cristino “Bong” Naguiat Jr., should remit to the PSC as stated in Republic Act 6847, the law that created the sports agency in 1990.

Angping said that if given the chance, he would sit down with the new Pagcor chairman in the coming days.

“It depends on the interpretation of the law,” said Angping. “Whether it’s five percent of Pagcor’s monthly gross income or five percent of what’s left of it after 50 percent of which goes to the President’s Social Fund.”

As it is, Pagcor remits around P40 million to the PSC every month, and this forms the bulk of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), the hand that feeds the hundreds of national athletes under more than 40 national sports associations.

The PSC gets a few more from other GOCCs like the Philippine Racing Commission (PRC) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) even if the biggest chunk really comes from Pagcor.

Angping has no doubts that Pagcor, under Naguiat, will continue to provide the funds for the country’s sports development programs, but, again if given the chance, would like to review the procedure with the new Pagcor chief.

“There’s a pattern and a process to follow so even with the change of leadership in Pagcor, the PSC will continue to receive the funding. But if I get to meet the new Pagcor chairman we can discuss the allocation,” said Angping.

“And if chairman Naguiat agrees to our interpretation of the law, which is five percent of Pagcor’s gross monthly income, then the PSC will get more than what it gets now. And that’s more funding for our athletes,” said the PSC chief.

Angping, who was appointed PSC chairman by former President Arroyo in February last year, is just waiting for his replacement from Malacañang. But President Aquino has yet to make the announcement.

This leaves Angping with no choice but to carry on, see to it that the preparations for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou in November fall into place, and make full use of his connections in China.

“I don’t know what will happen. But while I’m here I need to take the initiative. Let’s wait and see. But we need to move on,” said Angping, the country’s special envoy to China under the Arroyo government.