COOPERATION over the welfare of the athletes were renewed following talks between Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.
The talks came a week after a senate inquiry looked into allegations that the POC has not liquidated funds amounting to P129.6 million to the PSC.
“Ang usapan is to cooperate with each other. If we don’t, we’re not the losers, but the athletes,” said Cojuangco during a lunch gathering of athletes and sports officials yesterday at the La Fiesta restaurant at the Mall of Asia.
The Senate Committee on Sports, headed by Senator Manny Pacquiao, recently discussed issues and problems hounding the development of Philippine sports.
The probe questioned POC’s unliquidated financial support, including P16 million from 2010 to 2016, and P27 million more from the country’s hosting of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
Officials of the POC have clarified that the funds have already been liquidated, with the assistance of private accounting firm SGV taking care of the audit reports over the last six years.
Their assistance helped the NSAs in auditing the funds which have been released to their athletes by the PSC.
Cojuangco, who is set to leave for the United States for a medical checkup, said the POC is now focusing its time and energy in taking care of the needs of elite athletes in the coming months.
Finding a place to train athletes is one of the POC’s priorities.
They were offered a place in Iba, Zambales by Governor Amor Deles.
Cojuangco will send officials to the area for an ocular inspection next week.