PSC seeks NBI help on karatedo’s missing funds

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission has sought the help of the NBI to look into allegations of some members of the national karatedo team that they did not receive the allowance money due them during their training in Germany from July to August this year.

“We want the NBI to help us and look into the matter,” said PSC chair Butch Ramirez yesterday.

PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez actually disclosed that members of the 14-man Phl team that trained to Germany from July 20 to Aug. 9 did not receive the money allotted them by the country’s sports agency.

In documents obtained by The STAR, the PSC approved a budget of P3,217,874.75 to cover the expenses incurred by the 15-man karatedo team headed by Phl Karatedo Federation secretary-general Raymond Lee Reyes and Iranian coach Ali Parvinfar.

It included a daily stipend of US$90 or a total of US$1,800 for each member of the said squad that included Ireneo Soriano Jr., Mae Soriano, Miyuki Tacay, John Paul Bejar, Rexor Tacay, John Michael Vincent Badil, Engener Stoner Dagohoy, Jayson Ramil Macaalay, Carmelo Patricio Jr., OJ delos Santos, Sharief Afif, Erica Celine Samonte and Kimverly Madrona.

But some athletes approached Fernandez and claimed they allegedly received only Euro$400 or about US$470 each.