The partnership forged by the Philippine Sports Commission with the Department of Justice will help ensure good governance among the national sports associations.
Deputy Executive Director Guillermo Iroy said this after the PSC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice last Wednesday.
“This is the first that there is an agreement with the DOJ. This will ensure good governance among the NSAs,” stated Iroy.
With the agreement, financial assistance that have been mishandled and criminal cases involving athletes and coaches, and other sports officials can now be properly tackled by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Legal steps can be taken with little trouble by the PSC with the help of the DOJ
The PSC can tap the National Bureau of Investigation, which will be involved once again in efforts to resolve legal cases the concerns the national sports association, athletes, coaches and officials.
PSC chairman William Ramirez said that guidance from the DOJ is needed since accountability is expected of the PSC.
The PSC plans to adopt no liquidation, no assistance policy in the coming year.
This is for NSAs which have internal disputes and those that have unliquidated financial assistance within 30 days after getting funds from the PSC.
In line with the requirements of DOJ, the agency is creating a task force that will coordinate and work closely on standing cases and other conflicts that may be referred by the PSC.
Iroy cited the last year’s activities when the NBI filed cases of malversation against a sports official in karatedo.
Philippine Karatedo Federation official Raymund Lee-Reyes got in trouble after the national team went to Germany for training in July 2017.
Six members of the national squad were among those filed complaints before the PSC, and cases of malversation of public funds and property were eventually pursued against Reyes, who alleged that they did not fully receive their allowances during the trip.