By MARK REY MONTEJO
Though it came belatedly, the landmark decision of the Supreme Court ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to release the appropriate budget to the Philippine Sports Commission could be likened to an Olympic gold medal.
The decision – estimated to be worth P25 billion that will go to the coffers of the PSC – was too huge it could build a sports complex anywhere in the country – not to mention improving the grassroots sports program and upgrading all training facilities.
The allowances of every Juan Dela Cruz in the national team could also be raised after the Supreme Court directed PAGCOR to remit the full amount of five percent of gross income to the PSC from 1993 to the present, and the 30 percent of the charity fund of sweepstakes and lottery draw of the PCSO from 2006 to the present.
PAGCOR cut down its contribution to just 2.1735 percent of its gross income starting in 1993 on the strength of an executive order from the Office of the President handed down during the time of President Ramos.
The decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen was certainly a big boost for PH sports but former Pampanga Congressman and PBA coach Yeng Guiao said the battle is far from over, saying he wants to see the actual execution of the decision.
“Ayaw natin na parang moral victory lang ito. Legally and morally we’re standing on solid grounds. Yung bulk of the work andiyan na, e,” said Guiao in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, where he was accompanied by his lawyer Atty. Avelino ‘Jun’ Guzman Jr.
“We don’t want this decision to become a paper judgement. Ang kailangan talaga dito yung pondo pumasok sa PSC,” added Guzman in the session held at the conference room of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Guiao, then vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, filed the petition before the highest court in the land.
“Ang laki, I think this is the most consequential development since the creation of PSC,” said the fiery mentor of the Rain or Shine.
“Actually ‘yong PSC ‘yong tinatanggap nyang pondo sabi ko nga baka matriple eh so para tayong nagdagdag ng tatlong PSC sa development na ‘to.”
“Ang dapat makinabang dyan ang bayan, ang athletes, ang grassroots programs. Ang next challenge dyan kung paano natin mapapangalagaan ‘tong pondo na ‘to,” added Guiao.
“Matagal na dapat ‘tong pondo ng PSC ay dapat buo nilang makukuha, alam naman natin di nila nakukuha ng buo ‘yon parang around 2.1 percent lang actually ang nakukuha nila,” Guiao added.
“Kailangang bantayan natin ‘to kasi di naman ‘to para sa akin o para sa amin. Makakalimutan kami after this, pero ang importante merong nakikinabang do’n sa pinaglaban natin,” Guiao continued.
“Siguro ang PSC ngayon dapat ay hikayatin natin na mas lalong magkaroon ng accountability and transparency doon sa mga pag gagamitan ng pera na ‘to.”
“Sayang din ang effort mo kung makikita mong mali yung mangyayari. Kailangan talagang bantayan, laking tukso nyan kung pababayaan nila,” added Guiao.
