GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IS THE ANSWER TO PHILIPPINE SPORTS

COURTESY OF MANILATIMES.NET

The senate hearing conducted by Senator Manny Paccquiao last November 29, 2016, once again, highlighted the different forms of corruption perpetrated by no less than the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Corruption, as revealed through the senate hearing, not only pertained to money matters but to sports management as well.

The revelations of former Senator Nikki Coseteng, PBC President Gullermo Mallilin and ABAP Executive Director Ed Picson all point out the fact that corruption in Philippines sports takes on many forms. While money remains the main component of corruption in Philippine sports, the grave abuse of power and authority and gross mismanagement of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) cannot to be disregarded and taken lightly as forms of corruption.

Thus, the solution to the problems of Philippine sports must truly be total and complete. Cutting off the funding of POC will simply not do. The disenfranchisement of national federations, the prohibition of certain athletes to join the national team and IOC-sanctioned events and perpetuation of Cojuangco as POC president will continue even if POC funding comes to a complete stop. A total revamp of POC remains as the most viable solution to Philippine sports. And that will entail the removal of all the people in POC. Government must face the challenge of removing the very people who cause all the problems in Philippine sports. And that can only happen through a strong and decisive action coming from the government no less.