Tinanggap din ni Ramirez

MANILA, Philippines — Alinsunod sa kautusan ng Malacañang, ni-rekonsidera ni Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez ang naunang desisyon at tinanggap ang alok ng Philippine Olympic Committee bilang Chief of Mission ng Team Philippines para sa darating na 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“I am in constant communication with my superiors in Malacañang, which continually monitors and assesses the sports landscape of the country. Last night, I was given firm instructions which I shall carry out, knowing beyond any doubt that national interest is primary concern of government and I should be all,” sabi ni Ramirez sa press conference kahapon kasama si POC president Ricky Vargas sa PSC conference hall.

Ayon pa kay Ramirez, kabilang sa kagustuhan ng Malacañang ang pagbibigay tulong at suporta sa POC na sa ngayon ay nagkaroon ng malaking problema na nagbigay daan para tanggalin at palitan ang da-ting chief of mission na si Monsour del Rosario ng taekwondo.

“I humbly accept the Chef de Mission post for Team Philippines’ 2019 Sea Games. I accept the challenges of the CDM position. Aside from the instructions of my bosses, is to heed the call for help of the POC. As the sports government arm, we show our readiness to step in, to help in the capacity being requested and if possible mediate to make unity happen,”  dagdag ni Ramirez.

Kasunod sa pahayag ni Ramirez, nagpalabas din ng suporta ang Malacañang kay POC president Ricky Vargas at POC chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at nanawagan sa mga sports leaders na ilayo ang sports sa politika.

“We call on everyone to insulate sports from politics. The Philippine will be hosting the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games this year. We should be together rallying behind and supporting all Filipino athletes who are set to compete in the games as we extend our world-famous warmth and hospitality to our brothers and sisters in the region who are coming to Manila,” ayon naman kay Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Nagpasalamat si Vargas sa suporta ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at nananawagan din ng pagkakaisa sa POC para sa tagumpay ng 2019 Sea Games na gaganapin dito sa bansa ngayong Nobyembre 30 hanggang sa Disyembre 11 sa Metro Manila, Clark-Angeles City, Subic at Tagaytay City.

“I express my sincere appreciation to Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte for coming to the side of the athletes in their quest for glory in the coming Sea Games. The president has shown that he will always put the welfare of the athletes above all else. I call on all parties in the POC to draw inspiration from the pronouncement. We can never achieve our goals unless we are one in ensuring the success of the Sea Games,”pahayag ni Vargas.

Ito na ang ika-apat na hosting ng bansa ng Sea Games, ang una ay noong 1981 at sinundan noong 1991. Ang ikatlong hosting ay noong 2005 kung saan nakamit ng Team Philippines ang overall championship sa unang pagkakataon simula noong 1977. Si Ramirez na rin ang Chief of Mission ng Philippine delegation at PSC chairman sa panahong iyon.