PSC: Hands off on Cristy sexual raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission is looking in from the outside as the Azkals face a sexual harassment case filed by former Philippine Olympic Committee president Cristy Ramos.

Chairman Richie Garcia said yesterday the PSC will not dip its hands on the raging issue involving the Azkals and the daughter of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

“This is a PFF (Philippine Football Federation) matter,” said Garcia who, however, had a recent talk with PFF president Nonong Araneta.

“Like everybody else we wanted to know what happened. Now let’s give the PFF the chance to investigate. The PFF is doing its share,” the PSC chief added.

He said it’s up to the PFF if it wants its ethics, arbitrary or disciplinary committee to decide on the matter. Ramos has previously filed the case before the Asian Football Confederation.

“They are the ones in charge of the investigation. The PSC has nothing to do with that. We have done our share by conducting a meeting with the PFF,” Garcia explained.

“Let the process continue but for the meantime let’s leave it to them. Then after a decision is made maybe we can assess it,” he said.

Ramos said she felt harassed when she did the pre-match inspection of the Azkals inside their dugout more than an hour before their game against Malaysia last week.

Ramos said as match commissioner, it was her duty to inspect the players, check their credentials, their playing jerseys as well as the team officials who will be out on the field.

The ex-POC president said she told the Azkals beforehand that there will be an inspection, but when she came to the door the team asked for another five minutes before the inspection.

After waiting, Ramos said she was made to enter the dugout, but the Azkals apparently ignored her presence because there was a lot of bantering inside a typical men’s lockerroom.

Ramos said she was looking at a different player when Lexton Moy allegedly stood by her side and said, “Must be a B cup,” and the comment drew laughter from the Azkals.

Ramos said since she was the only lady inside the dugout, then Moy must be referring to her bra size. She also said another player, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado, standing in front of her wearing only his briefs.

Ramos said this was followed by another burst of laughter. In succeeding interviews she said she felt embarrassed and disappointed that in almost 100 international matches she had inspected it had to happen in her own country, by members of the national team.

Guirado broke his silence the other day, and after more than a week, claimed he was wearing his shorts, and not just his briefs, when she stood in front of Ramos.

Moy tweeted days after the incident, and said the case should be dealt with “professionally.”