The Philippine Sports Commission remains committed to its program and other projects despite its raging dispute with the Philippine Olympic Committee over unliquidated expenses.
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said they are moving forward but they will not abandon their promise of helping the POC clear its name after the Commission on Audit flagged it for failing to liquidate its P10-million expenses incurred during the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998.
In fact, Bachmann already has a scheduled meeting with CoA executives. He is also planning to meet POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino to clear things out.
But in the meantime, the government sports agency will focus on the task at hand, including the country’s participation in the 4th Asian Para Games and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games as well as the Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games.
“I’m still waiting for a meeting with CoA. As for my concern, we are moving forward. We have a lot of work with Para-Asian Games, AIMAG, Batang Pinoy and PNG,” Bachmann said.
In a previous statement, Tolentino said he is also putting his feud with the PSC aside as he helps the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas handle the issue surrounding naturalized player Justin Brownlee.
Brownlee, 35, failed a drug test in the aftermath of Gilas Pilipinas’ historic conquest of the men’s basketball gold medal in the 19th Asian Games.
With that, Brownlee is facing a two-year suspension from all International Basketball Federation-sanctioned events and Tolentino said he wants to devote his attention in making sure that the United States-born Brownlee will be able to file an appeal.
“The PSC wants to have a call to sit down with them but let me fix the Brownlee issue first. This one is heavy. Brownlee had a big effort in the Asian Games and other tournaments,” Tolentino said.
Bachmann said he is on the same page with Tolentino in making sure than Brownlee, who also helped Gilas restore the glory in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, will get all the support he needs.
Bachmann, a former team manager of Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association, said he is consulting with the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization and the SBP on the matter.
“I’m checking with Dr. Alejandro Pineda of Phi-NADO. I’m checking updates. I’m also coordinating with the SBP as well,” Bachmann said.
