PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann yesterday clarified that the demand letter the Philippine Olympic Committee received from the Commission on Audit regarding the P10 million in unliquidated funds for the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games did not come from his office.
“We were not aware of the COA notice until it was brought to my attention. My signature is not even on it,” Bachmann said yesterday during a press conference at the PSC conference room.
“The timing and issuance of letters to the POC by the COA are therefore not within the purview of the PSC,” Bachmann added while showing a copy of the notice dated Sept. 20.
While in Hangzhou, POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the demand letter became a “distraction” and was ill-timed considering that it came just a day after he and some POC officials arrived before the opening of the Asian Games.
Tolentino was quoted as saying this notice “drove a wedge” between the PSC and the POC during the country’s campaign in the Asiad where Pinoy bets returned home with four gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals.
Bachmann said the COA is independent government agency and could not meddle in its actions “or else ako naman ang maco-COA.”
Although initially upset, he said that upon reflection, “this issue could have been handled better by closer collaboration of all the parties involved.
“The PSC does not believe that COA intended it to be a distraction, and neither was it the intention of the PSC. The PSC only has full-hearted support and encouragement, especially from the PSC Secretariat in China, my commissioners, and I,” Bachmann explained.
“All our Asian Games participating athletes, medalists or non-medalists, themselves can hopefully attest to this. No wedge has been driven anywhere, and no back has been stabbed,” he added.
On the reported misunderstanding regarding the roundtrip airfares of the national contingent to Hangzhou, Bachmann said “it is unfortunate that Cathay Pacific could not provide an immediate fixed rate due to constant changes on the departure and return flights of our athletes provided by the NSAs through the POC.”
Bachmann said “Cathay Pacific proposed a maximum rate of $1,200 per passenger and if upon the completion of the list of athletes the rate is lower, it will be refunded later. This arrangement was deemed unacceptable in contracting with the government.
“Eventually, Cathay Pacific agreed to rates ranging from $500 to $700 per passenger. In a collaborative spirit, the POC offered to advance payment for the tickets, a gesture we appreciated at the time.”
Bachmann also said all medalists in Hangzhou will be honored in a grand heroes’ welcome at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex this month.
