AS PSC REVAMP CONTINUES

Jorge being groomed for PSC post

By Julius Manicad

09/06/2008

With commissioner Ambrocio “Bong” de Luna formally stepping down, another name has been floated to join the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), putting the long-delayed revamp back in full swing.

Nic Jorge, a basketball executive whose programs are focused on grassroots development, is heavily tipped to join the five-man PSC board of commissioners, replacing de Luna who already took his oath and assumed office as assistant secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform a few days back.

A highly-placed source yesterday said Jorge’s appointment papers are being expedited by some Malacañang executives after their original choice, former Makati councilor Nemesio “King” Yabut Jr., reportedly failed to make the grade.

Also considered were former PSC commissioner Ray Roquero, baseball legend Boy Codinera, former Sen. Freddie Webb and media man Fred Lumba.

The source said Jorge would be a logical choice since he has been a sportsman for almost 30 years, holding sensitive positions like the presidency of the Basketball Association of the Philippines Inc., and now as youth sector representative of the fledgling BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). He was also the founder of the Best Center and had previously coached several collegiate teams including University of the Philippines and Mapua Institute of Technology.

He, in fact, had already applied for the position during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos, but his application went for naught.

“I don’t think my application is still active,” Jorge said. “I really have no idea. Nobody called me up to remind me that I am still being considered. I don’t even think I am included in what they call as ‘short list of candidates.’”

Aside from de Luna, even PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and commissioner Ricardo Garcia are also on the verge of being replaced. Ramirez, who did a great job spearheading the country to its first Southeast Asian Games overall title in 2005, is said to be replaced by former Manila Sports Council chairman Ali Atienza while a handful of names is also being floated to replace Garcia.

Garcia is the most seasoned in the PSC board after being designated in the late ‘90s under the administration of former President Joseph Estrada. He was re-appointed in 2002 and was tasked to oversee national sports association-related matters.

The source, however, clarified that the overhaul is not linked to the country’s debacle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics because days before the Games, commissioner Jose Mundo was already given the pink slip and was replaced by two-time Olympian Akiko Thomson. Months before, Bacolod-based journalist Eric Loretizo was appointed as the replacement of Leon Montemayor.

“Everything but the (appointment) paper,” the source said, emphasizing that Jorge will assume office as soon as his papers are already processed. “The revamp is not connected in the Olympics. It has been the President’s plan to shuffle her men even without a major international tournament.”

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