MEQUI-LOS PROTESTA SI DR. MEQUI

Matapos mawala sa mata ng publiko ng higit dalawang dekada, nagbabalik si Dr. Apericio “Perry” Mequi para pangunahan ang tawag sa pagbibitiw sa puwesto ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco. Isa si Dr. Mequi sa mga utak sa pagtitipon na magaganap sa ika-21 ng Setyembre 2017. Ang pagtitipon ay binansagang “ Peace and Change in Philippine Sports”.

Sa isang panayam ng inyong lingkod, inilahad ni Dr. Mequi ang iba’t-ibang layunin ng pagtitipon na inaasahang dadaluhan ng mga atleta, coaches, sports officials at fans.

Narito ang kanyang mga pahayag.

1.     Bakit mo naisipang magsagawa ng rally o pagtitipon laban kay POC President Peping Cojuangco?

The reasons for the rally goes back to even last year when we campaigned for POC to hold an open, free and democratic election because we believed that Peping after 12 years of unproductive and disastrous performance as evidenced by continuous deterioration in performance plus bad governance as proven by unliquidated public funds, should resign and provides for change in leadership. So, the call for Peping's resignation is not a new campaign.

2.     Anu-ano ang layunin ng rally ?

Ang layunin ng rally is to convince the POC General Assembly to declare a vote of confidence against Peping. It's only the POC GA that can oust Peping. No other entity can do this. Kaya, para sa POC GA ang aming mensahe for Peace and Change in Philippine Sports.

3.     Ano ang masasabi mo sa sinabi ni Cojuangco na nangugulo ka lang at bayaran?

Sa isyu ng bayaran. I am personally an example of a government servant who didn't use my position to enrich myself. During my brief stint at PSC, I was signing checks worth P7m to P15m per week. But barely a week after assuming the chairmanship, I recommended it's abolition because I saw that it's organizational and staffing pattern were deficient. It had no nationwide offices and the salary scales could not attract good professionals. I wanted out of the PSC. In contrast, Peping wants to hold on. I have no unliquidated funds after working in government for over 30 years.

4.     Ano ang malaking pagkakamali o pagkukulang ni Cojuanco bilang POC president?

Ang pagkukulang ni Peping is that HE HAS NO ARTICULATED VISION, MISSION AND PLAN FOR PHILIPPINE SPORTS. He keeps harping on sports NUTRITION for athletes. Nutrition is like the gasoline that you load up in a rocket ship or a car. Kahit na it's the best fuel, if you have no idea where you want the rocket to land or where to take the car, then it's useless. And most of all, Peping NEVER PRESENTED ANY PLAN BECAUSE HE HAS NO ARTICULATED GOALS OR OBJECTIVES TO PURSUE. "Without a plan, a goal is just a wish." (Antoine de Epuery). Peping has no vision, goal, objective or plan for Philippine Sports. So, all he had been doing for some 13 years as POC President is wishing.

5.     Kung mapapatalsik si Cojuangco, sino ang nakikita mong puedeng pumalit?

Anyone among the NSA Presidents who: 1. Is a man of independent means, may sariling yaman or may strong corporate backer, so that he can perform his role as volunteer, receiving no salary, for the services he renders to promote his sport. 3. Has a good background in business management. 4. Formers athlete who had competitive experience. 5. Is known and respected by the IF members of his sport, and 6. Has a reputation of honesty, respectability, statesmanship and integrity in the sports community.

6.     Paano mapipigil ang patuloy na pagbagsak ng Philippine sports?

To arrest the downward trend of Philippine sports, we have to invest on the very basics instead of aspiring for excellence without INVESTING ON LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT. These long term development starts with SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION the foundation of grassroots sports. The PE and school sports program is a BIG JOKE! While the acceptable principle and practice of PE worldwide is DAILY ONE HOUR activity, DepEd policy is once or twice a week. This is FOOLISH! We have to begin organizing and nurturing a SPORTS CLUB SYSTEM in schools and communities. Lastly, invest on the training of professionals who will be man the national sports program. While other countries have colleges and universities of physical education and sports, we have none in the Philippines that's adequately staffed and with appropriate curricular offerings. We should posthaste establish a CHARTERED STATE COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE.

7.     May pag-asa pa ba ang Philippine sports umangat?

YES, IN THE LONG TERM--NOT IN THE SHORT TERM. May nagsabi na ang Pinoy ay mahilig sa shortcut.  This is not possible in Philippine sports. In my mind, if we adopt the recommendations I cited above, we should see some improvements in 16 years.