Explain P29M PAGCOR assistance, says GTK to Joseph

MANILA, Philippines – A key ally of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has joined the call for Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) head Mark Joseph to explain the P29 million financial assistance extended to him by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok, who is also POC’s special assistant to the president, made the call and also asked former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez to explain his letter to PAGCOR chairman Efraim Genuino. In a letter dated August 1, 2007, Ramirez gave Genuino his clearance to give PASA direct financial assistance and at the same time allow PAGCOR to deduct the said amount from the financial support they give to PSC. “What happened to the PSC rule that states no financial liquidation, no money? The (National Sports Association’s) would not raise a howl if PASA has no financial liability with PSC but we know for a fact that PASA is one of the NSAs with unliquidated expenses which happened even before Joseph step in as its president," said Go. Go is the first NSA leader under the Cojuangco wing to challenge Joseph. A number of NSAs who supported shooting president Art Macapagal has also asked Joseph to make a statement regarding the controversial PAGCOR support. Go however clarified that his statement does not mean he has shifted allegiance to the other group, but is making the call being an NSA president himself who also had limited if not no support from the PSC because of his supposedly unliquidated accounts. “It’s really unfair for the other NSA. P29 million for one NSA while the others suffer because they are not given financial support," added Go. Pagcor has released P29,836,647.32 to PASA from December 2007 to December 2008 all for the swimmers preparation for the London Olympics. Go said even PSC chairman Harry Angping raised his point on the matter and has also written Genuino to cancel the practice. “Had (Harry) Angping not raise a howl on the practice, PASA would have gotten more that P29 million." The POC executive committee has remained mum on the issue although Joseph himself has said that he has liquidated the amount with PAGCOR and was already issued a certification PASA that the money was spent wisely. Because of PAGCOR’s certification, Joseph is not keen on liquidating the amount to the PSC. Joseph is with Cojuangco attending an Olympic Council of Asia Sports Congress in Kuwait. – GMANews.TV