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Thursday, August 28, 2003
Ramirez welcomes lifestyle check
By Marianne L. Saberon
PHILIPPINE Sports Commissioner William "Butch" Ramirez said Wednesday he is willing to submit himself to a lifestyle check as proposed by Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella.
Ramirez, who hails from Davao City, said it is but normal for government and sports officials to be under close scrutiny.
"As a public official, we are all subjects to scrutiny. The lifestyle check is okay with me as long as it is done legally," said Ramirez whose brainchild, the Mindanao Friendship Games, will soon be on its third edition from October 19 to 24 in Mati, Davao Oriental.
Ramirez made the statement in the wake of Puentevella's proposal for officials and employees of the national sports agency to undergo a lifestyle check.
Peuntevella is a former PSC commissioner and now chairman of the House committee on youth and sports.
Ramirez said he has already submitted his statement of assets and liabilities (SALs) to the Commission on Audit (COA).
Meanwhile, efforts to reach another PSC Commissioner from Davao, Leon Gonzalo "Binggoy" Montemayor, for his statement proved futile. His mobile phone was out of coverage area.
A national broadsheet Wednesday reported that PSC chair Eric Buhain welcomes the proposal of Puentevella saying he and his staff will never run away from the lifestyle check.
"The intention of Congressman Puentevella is noble and his concern for Philippine sports is just showing," Buhain was quoted as saying.
"But it's a bit late because as early as five weeks ago, we were already asked to submit our SALs. And we've complied with that in support of President Arroyo's lifestyle checks. Transparency is very important in government," Buhain added.
Aside from Ramirez and Montemayor, other PSC commissioners are Ambrocio Luna and Mike Barredo.
Eduardo Villanueva, Games and Amusements Board chairman, is also reportedly willing to undergo such scheme.
Puentevella made the proposal amid allegations that top PSC officials along with those from the Games and Amusements Board that some of them have acquired "ill-gotten" wealth.
(August 28, 2003 issue)
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