Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez heaved a sigh of relief after the Supreme Court acquitted him of graft charges in connection to the release of financial assistance to the members of the national swimming team.

Ramirez said he is grateful to the Supreme Court second division for reversing the earlier decision made by the Sandiganbayan that convicts him and other ranking Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) executives of graft over the illegal transfer of P37 million to the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA).

Ramirez said he expects the acquittal, knowing that everything he did was aboveboard.

“It was expected,” Ramirez told DAILY TRIBUNE in a telephone conversation on Monday morning.

“My only mistake was to help our national swimmers. All the public funds were eventually returned. Corruption was not proven.”

A staunch supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Ramirez was hobbled by the graft case during his term as PSC chief from 2016 to 2022.

The case stemmed from PAGCOR’s direct release of P37,063,488.21 in multiple disbursements to the national swimming federation for 18 months during Ramirez’s first term as PSC chief in 2008 and 2009 under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The prosecution argued that these transfers violated Section 26 of the Republic Act 6847 which explicitly states that “5 percent of the gross income of PAGCOR should be automatically remitted to the PSC.’’

But Ramirez asserted that PAGCOR’s direct release of funds to PASA was without his knowledge and consent.

He said the disbursements were direct financial assistance to the local swimming body deductible from the government gaming corporation’s operational expense and not from PSC’s 5-percent share from PAGCOR’s gross monthly income.

Based on the Supreme Court’s resolution, the direct release of funds to PASA was a unilateral action of PAGCOR duly authorized by its board of directors and that Ramirez did not give any unwarranted benefit or advantage to swimming federation at the expense of other athletes or national sports associations.

The high court also mentioned that in any event, the funds deducted from PSC’s 5-percent share from the income of PAGCOR was returned through offsetting that cleared Ramirez of any wrongdoing.

Ramirez is one of the most successful chairmen of the PSC.

Under him, the country achieved glory as it won the overall titles in the 23rd and 30th editions of the Southeast Asian Games as well as its first gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the Tokyo Olympics.

Ramirez said he is glad that the long and painful battle to clear his name is finally over as the decision of the Supreme Court is already final and executory.

“I’m glad that it’s over,” said Ramirez, who is now living a quiet and simple life with his daughter in Central Luzon. Aside from taking care of his grandchildren and walking the dogs, Ramirez is also serving as consultant in sports management of various provinces to stay sharp and healthy.

“I am still physically and mentally healthy. Helping sports is our life.”

But what if the door of the PSC suddenly swings open?

“I’m sorry but I have to turn it down. Ibigay na lang natin sa mga bata yan,” the mild-mannered former PSC chief said.