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Saturday, January 28, 2006
PSC confirms it’s under DOH
By Frank C. Calapre
Sun.Star Correspondent
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (psc) yesterday confirmed the validity of Executive Order No.441 delegating to Sec. Francisco Duque of the Department of Health the power to exercise oversight functions over the government sports body.
PSC Chairman William Ramirez, however, said he will oppose any move by the DOH to interfere in the PSC’s affairs.
“I will fight this. We have a law and nobody can supplant the law,” said Ramirez during the PSC’s 16th anniversary celebrations at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ramirez’s reaction stemmed from a prepared draft by the DOH that gives Undersecretary for Special Concerns Judy del Mundo full responsibility on overall management of the working committee’s task to oversee the transfer of the PSC to the DOH.
SEA Games
PSC commissioner Ambrosio de Luna said EO 441, which was signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 27, 2005, was not immediately revealed to the press because of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games last Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
However, the last paragraph of President Arroyo’s order, also signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, states that “the EO shall take effect immediately.”
“There was agreement with the DOH last year that we will withhold any discussion about it until the SEA Games are over,” said de Luna at the weekly Scoop forum.
De Luna said they will not contest President Arroyo’s EO but they are questioning the implementing guidelines set by the DOH, which tend to intervene with the PSC’s affairs.
“The President has the power to put any agency under her office to another department. But we are seeking clarification about the implementing guidelines that were shown to us by the DOH,” said de Luna.
The PSC was created by Republic Act 6847 on Jan. 26, 1990 to oversee the development of sports in the country.
Questioned
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco questioned the wisdom of Arroyo putting the PSC under a caretaker other than the Office of the President as mandated by RA 6847.
“We really cannot understand. They have already reduced the budget of the PSC to only P28 million, now they are transferring the sports agency to another office,” Cojuangco said.
Also in the DOH prepared draft, the del Mundo committee possesses the power to review policies, rules and regulations pertaining to the implementing function of the PSC.
It will also regularly monitor and enforce prescribed policies and rules for PSC-related activities and recommend policy changes when necessary upon the consultation with other agencies.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 28, 2006 issue)
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