PATAFA seeks PSC meeting over suspended coaches

MANILA, Philippines – A legal battle is looming over the horizon between the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association and the Phl Sports Commission.

Lawyer Nicanor Sering, a member of the PATAFA board who is representing suspended national team coaches Joseph Sy and Roselyn Hamero, said they are contemplating on filing a case against PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez if the country's sports-funding agency don't agree to a hearing.

"We want a hearing, if not, we might go to court and file a civil case against him (Gomez)," said Sering, son of former Phl Olympic Committee president Jose Sering, in Wednesday's briefer at the Orchid's Garden in Manila.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok has also thrown his full support to Sy and Hamero, who were dropped just this month from the PSC payroll due to several reasons, including allegedly falsifying documents and prolonged absences from the PSC training camp in Baguio City.

"All I want is for my national coaches to get due process and a hearing," said Go.

In an eight-page memo from the PSC board, Sy, who coaches St. Benilde's track and field squad on the side, was accused of failing to supervise training of elite athletes in Baguio and allegedly staying most of the time in Manila, leaving the national team members to train on their own.

For Hamero, she was accused of forging the signature of PATAFA secretary-general Benjamin Silva-Netto falsifying hurdler Josie Malacad's qualifying time for her to make the roster to the 2011 Palembang SEAG.

Both Sy and Hamero, who lost P20,000 each due to the suspension, vehemently denied the allegations.

For his part, PSC executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, speaking in behalf of Gomez and the agency, said they've already set up a meeting this Monday and, if it doesn’t push through, is ready to face any case PATAFA, Sy and Hamero are set to file against them.

"PATAFA sent a letter seeking an audience with the chairman (Richie Garcia)," said Iroy. "That's why a meeting is set on Monday, 2:30 p.m.

"Filing of cases is okay with us, that's their right. Anyway, we can defend it," he added.

Gomez, who is the PSC commissioner in charge of athletics, politely declined to comment.