I’ve advised Mon to cool down, says Ramirez.
Malacañang is keeping tabs on the raging war involving the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), according to PSC chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.
The PSC leadership is likewise rallying behind PSC commissioner Mon Fernandez, the four-time PBA Most Valuable Player who is about to engage in a legal battle with POC president and veteran politician Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco.
Last week, Cojuangco branded Fernandez as having been involved in game-fixing during his playing years in the PBA from 1975 until 1994.
Ramirez said President Rodrigo Duterte is fully aware of the PSC’s run-in with Cojuangco by way of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Presidential Management Staff chief Bong Go.
Fernandez is set to file libel charges against Cojuangco in Cebu City and Ramirez is throwing its support behind Fernandez although he is hopeful that the two well-known officials get to settle their differences.
“Pero hindi kami sarado, we’re always, for our survival should be flexible and we always would want to talk,” said Ramirez.
Still, Ramirez, who was appointed to the PSC by Duterte, swears that the PSC is behind Fernandez.
“I am supporting my commissioner and any commissioner for that matter. If it becomes a legal matter, we’re supporting Mon,” said Ramirez, noting that the POC has still to account for P38-million that it received from the government.
Trouble began when Cojuangco, who enjoyed a harmonious relationship with the previous PSC administration, said the PSC should stick to its original mandate of funding.
Ramirez felt slighted that the POC had the gall to say such things but remains hopeful that Fernandez and Cojuangco would calm down and patch things up.
“We’re supposed to be examples that sports is about unity, cooperation and here he comes telling us not to meddle, don’t ask money. The matters of Mon and Peping they have to reconcile.”
To show that he is working hard to settle the issue, Ramirez has already done his part.
“I have advised Mon to cool down,” he added.
