PSC chair sees smooth transition in gov’t body

MANILA, Philippines - This early, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia has assured a smooth transition between the present PSC board which he heads and the one that would come in with the new administration.

The terms of the PSC chairman and four commissioners are co-terminus with that of the Chief Executive, meaning when President Aquino steps down on June 30, the current PSC board will have to go as well.

The country will hold its national elections on Monday and will elect a new President.

Garcia, who became PSC chairman in 2010 after a long on-and-off stint as PSC commissioner starting in 1998, said there should be smooth transition in the PSC, the government sports agency.

“There’s always a transition period,” said Garcia.

In some cases, members of the PSC board stay on in their posts, sometimes longer than necessary, until the new President names their replacements.

It’s also possible for any member or members of the current PSC board to stay on, in the same or different post, depending on the wishes of the new President.

Garcia, who has served the PSC longer than anyone else, said it’s up to the President. As a government official, they are tasked to follow the President.

The former commissioner under the Joseph E. Estrada and Gloria M. Arroyo administrations will serve as PSC chairman until a new one is named.

The same goes with the four commissioners – Salvador Andrada, Iggy Clavecilla, Jolly Gomez and Akiko Thompson Guevara.

Garcia said priority when a new PSC board comes in is to make sure that plans and programs approved by the current board will move on.

“We will sit down with the new chairman and discuss future events. We will present the budget and what has been approved by the board,” Garcia said.

On top of the list is the country’s participation in the Rio Olympics Aug. 5 to 21 and the Asian Beach Games in Dannang, Vietnam in September.

Garcia said the budgets for these events have already been approved.

“We’ve already allocated certain amounts for certain events. I don’t think there will be a major problem. We’re doing this for the athletes,” he said.

Under Garcia’s watch, the PSC developed a harmonious relationship with the Philippine Olympic Committee headed by Jose Cojuangco.

The POC holds its elections before the end of the year, and regardless of what happens, Garcia is hoping the good relationship between the two sports bodies will continue.