Fernandez to sue Cojuangco for libel

MANILA, Philippines -  PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez is poised to file libel charges against Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who recently branded the former basketball superstar as a “game-fixer.”

Fernandez, who was appointed by President Duterte to the Philippine Sports Commission last year, said he would drop his plans of filing the case “if he (Cojuangco) retracts his statement, issues a public apology and resigns as POC president.”

Cojuangco is not expected to back down from his battle with Fernandez.

In a published report, the 82-year-old POC chief accused Fernandez of throwing games while he was playing in the PBA, adding that he can back up his claims.

Fernandez, a vocal critic of Cojuangco’s POC leadership, told The STAR last Sunday that he is filing the libel case so he can answer the allegations in the proper forum.

“After talking to my lawyers, we’ve decided to file a libel case against Peping (Cojuangco) here in Cebu City,” said Fernandez.

“The newspaper is not the proper forum to answer these accusations. He called me a game-fixer when he should call me a team-fixer because I helped my teams win championships,” said the four-time MVP and 19-time champion in the PBA.

Chairman William Ramirez of the PSC said he is behind Fernandez. “I am supporting my commissioner and any commissioner for that matter.”