UNMASKING 1 PACMAN PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE MIKEE ROMERO

courtesy of philstar.com

The victory of Mikee Romero as party-list representative of 1 Pacman initially gave me high hopes for the resurgence of Philippine sports. After all, Romero presents himself as a protector of Filipino athletes and savior of Philippine sports. But his pronouncements at PSA Forum last Tuesday and series of press releases thereafter dashed out whatever hope I have for the improvement of sports in our country.  Romero's statements were devoid of substance, insight and complete understanding of the politics and processes in Philippine sports.

First, he called out the old sports leaders of the country to give way to younger and brighter minds. While this may be good enough for the uninitiated, , those who really know what is happening in sports know that these old sports leaders will never give up their posts. They have every intention to hold on to their posts til they die. POC President Peping Cojuangco and his men refuse to honor and obey even court orders. So what makes Romero think that they will heed his call for them to resign ?

The only way to kick out Cojuangco and his men from POC is through the POC election this November. Romero must find people who will challenge Peping and his men  during the election. As it is, no one is even planning to run against Peping for POC president. Cojuangco will easily cruise to a fourth term as POC president at the age of 82 come November.

Romero heavily promotes the Department of Sports as a solution to the ills hounding Philippine sports. The Department of Sports will only work with the employment of intelligent, qualified and honorable personnel. Corruption will still exist if corrupt and incompetent people occupy the offices of the department. And corruption will continue to be prevalent in the Department of Sports if it will remain beholden to Cojuangco and his minions at POC.

I can't help but think that Romero is just a johnny-come-lately whose main purpose is self-aggrandizement. Where was he when PDBF was being kicked out by POC and PSC as the official national sports association for dragon boat ? Where was he when PDBF paddlers were being mocked by our sports leaders despite giving the country world-class performances at a world championship ? Where was he when PDBF paddlers were sleeping at cemeteries because they did not have money for hotel accommodations ? Where was Romero when PVF was being kicked out as the official sports association for volleyball ? Where was he when the 250M peso sponsorship of PLDT Home Ultera and SM Group of Companies to Philippine volleyball was scrapped due to the political maneuverings of POC and PSC ?

All these make me doubt Romero as a true protector of Filipino athletes and savior of Philippine sports which he presents himself to be. At best, he is someone who has taken on a big responsibility as a public servant who will prioritize sports but is clueless on how to be a true instrument of help and change.