The Save Bacolod Movement (SBM) called Thursday for the resignation of Commissioner Eric Loretizo from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) "due to lack of trust and confidence."

SBM convenor, Romy Niere said the SBM believes that Loretizo has turned his back to his commitment of serving the interest of the Filipino people as a government official when he publicly defended Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella in the plunder case filed by PSC against the solon.

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He said the SBM dares Loretizo to leave his post out of delicadeza, " as a government official Loretizo is expected to stand by the decision of the PSC to charge Puentevella with plunder because of the solon's failure to liquidate the funds released to the Bacolod Seagames Organizing Committee (Basoc) in 2005."

"However, Loretizo, in recent interviews with the local media, deliberately cleared Puentevella from any accountability as he insisted that the congressman is a victim of political persecution," Niere stressed.

Niere cited that Loretizo must resign as he is serving the interest of his boss (Puentevella) instead of protecting the rights of the Filipino people. " He is standing against the decision of PSC to charge Puentevella with plunder, thus, making an impression that the decision to charge Puentevella is a fatal error."

Loretizo however countered, "Pastor Niere is entitled to his opinion," and that "despite the fact that he is not a citizen of the Philippines nor the appointing authority for my incumbent position."

In a statement furnished Sun.Star Bacolod, Loretizo said as a former Basoc secretary general, he has been compelled to defend the very organization which, through the help and services of hundreds and hundreds of the city's volunteers and civic-spirited Bacoleños and Negrenses, paved the way for the successful staging of the Southeast Asian Games (Sea Games) in 2005, noting that even the Bacolod City Council passed a resolution lauding it for putting Bacolod in the world map.

"Pastor Niere, true to his calling, should be the one who should step down from the mission of sowing intrigues, rumor mongering and misunderstanding, which tarnishes his testimony as a Christian minister and leader," Loretizo stressed.

But Niere said Loretizo is indirectly accusing PSC chairman Harry Angping as a vindictive political leader who is running after Puentevella when he said his boss is being harassed, adding that from all indications, Loretizo will defend the solon, as a witness, in his legal battle against PSC.

He said Loretizo is involved in the reported Basoc anomaly, "just like Puentevella, who has benefited from the Basoc funds. In effect, Loretizo is among the co-conspirators of Puentevella in the mishandling and mismanagement of Basoc funds."

Niere emphasized that as a commissioner, if Loretizo believes that Puentevella is innocent of the alleged crime, why did he not raise a howl when Angping filed the case?

"Loretizo must realize that Angping is only instrumental in the filling of the plunder case against Puentevella because it is the PSC, as a government agency, that is suing the congressman. As a commissioner, he must protect and defend the interest of the office he serves," Niere added.

Niere claims that Loretizo has no business staying at the PSC, " he should t resign and go back to his job as media coordinator and planner of Puentevella, swince it is public knowledge that Loretizo, before he became PSC commissioner, was doing media liaison for the solon."

He said Loretizo should be reminded that he draws his salary from the PSC and must refrain from acting as media liaison for Puentevella. "What does he want to prove? That while he is being paid by the government, he has not ceased from doing media chores for his beloved boss?"

" Loretizo is guilty of conflict of interest and violation of ethical standards and, therefore, must leave PSC as soon as possible," he added.

Loretizo in the meantime said for a Christian minister, "it is rather unbecoming that Niere is engaged as propagandist and messenger of deception through trial by publicity and forum shopping. Unfortunately, no matter what explanation and presentation of facts that we, at Basoc, will make, Pastor Niere has already a one-track mind on the matter and he will always interpret it to benefit whoever is funding his smear campaign."

He said it will be to the best interest of Niere's international organization
"for Niere to sow seeds of God's love not hatred and distrust among people, God's message of peace and hope, instead of conflict in a country "where he is not a citizen anymore."

"We know Niere's harvest field are not the Games but the souls and hearts of the people of Southeast Asia, it would do him best as well as the organization that sends him here and Southeast Asia if Niere, resigns as a propagandist and messenger of lies and, instead, concentrate on sowing seeds of goodwill and spend his time not maligning people but reaching out to them, as a minister, for the sake of God's Kingdom, which, he, as a pastor, missionary and minister, is committed to promote. I pray that Niere will be true to his calling to work not for the glory of men with interest of their own but of God," he added.

Meanwhile, Niere said he was also sending yesterday the copy of all the documents to Angping asking to investigate the action of Loretizo in protecting the solon on the plunder case filed by the PSC, saying Loretizo should protect the agency not the interest of Puentevella.

He said he will also file a case against Loretizo, Edwin Javellana, Alterejos, and Ramonito Lastima as "conspirator's of Puentevella." (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)