MANILA, 21 November 2003 — Weightlifting legend Jaime Sebastian and Asian taekwondo champion Arnold “Ali” Atienza have been included in the growing list of candidates for the chairmanship of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Names have been floated around as “replacements” of PSC Chairman Eric Buhain, and just recently, news of the forthcoming appointment of Sebastian to the sports agency broke out.
Rumors of an impending revamp in the controversy-riddled PSC have been swirling around the sports circle in recent weeks.
A source close to Sebastian said no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had told the bemedalled athlete he would be named commissioner “soon”.
The 52-year-old Sebastian, who also served as national coach after winning several SEA Games titles, was pleasantly surprised by the President’s decision, but added he has not received any letter of appointment yet.
“I don’t want to pre-empt the President,” Sebastian was quoted by the source as saying. “I will just wait for whatever her instructions are.” During the one-on-one meeting with the president, Sebastian, the source said, recalled the name of former Commissioner Eli Bontigao being mentioned as another appointee.
The same Bontigao had already been mentioned as possible replacement for PSC Chairman Eric Buhain when rumors of a possible shake-up in the agency started at the height of the Mindanao Friendship Games in Mati town, Davao Oriental province, last month.
Earlier, rumors spread regarding the alleged resignation of Buhain and the appointment of another potential replacement, former basketball player Robert “Dudut” Jaworski Jr. As a matter of fact, competitions at the Mindanao Friendship Games were suddenly eclipsed by the news flashed on television that Jaworski Jr. — the eldest son and namesake of Senator Robert Jaworski, a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star — was all set to take over the PSC reins from Buhain.
PSC spokesman Arsenic Lacson was quick to dismiss the rumors, saying the TV clip was based on a report from a tabloid insinuating that Jaworski Jr. could be the next PSC chief.
But sources from Manila confirmed that Malaca?ang had indeed made an offer to the eldest son and namesake of Senator Robert Jaworski, a former Philippine Basketball Association star.
Sources said the younger Jaworski, husband of Asian Games equestrian gold medalist Mikee Cojuangco, was reluctant because he was planning to run as a congressman.
The young Jaworski took a giant bite out of Buhain.
“There has been obvious discontent in the way the PSC has turned from bad to worse in recent times,” Jaworski said in a four-paragraph statement released to media offices.
“I would therefore advise Chairman Buhain to look at this issue as a wake-up call to reflect on the shortcomings of his administration instead of merely a question on his loyalty to the president.
Jaworski, who played two forgettable seasons alongside his legendary father with Ginebra in the PBA, touched only briefly on the reported move to tap him for the job, saying “it is both an honor and flattering to know that I am being considered to head the PSC.”
“Some feelers have been sent and emissaries have likewise been attempting to sit down and discuss the matter with me,” he said.
“My family, as well as my wife’s, are very much involved in sports. I, myself, am not blind to the problems of our athletes who live in squalor, don’t get the right support and appreciation of their sacrifices and lack a true and genuine program to help them.
“Chairman Buhain should look doubly-hard at what he’s done for Philippine sports in his 636 days in office.’’
Jaworski also rued the way Buhain’s camp brushed off news of his appointment. “I don’t ask for this appointment, I don’t need any because, in my own little way, I can help Philippine sports.
“But please, don’t bunch me with these guys in previous reports, or rumors that you claimed. I am comfortable with the work I’m doing now as chief of staff of my father’s office and, like him, I also have a long-term goal for this country.’’
Buhain merely shrugged his shoulders on a news report he will be replaced by the young Jaworski.
“I haven’t received any instruction from the President and I wasn’t told about anything yet,” said Buhain. “But I serve at the pleasure of the President and I have been loyal to her instructions in the sports community.”
Buhain said that if ever there is any appointment made by Malaca?ang, he should be the first to know.
“I serve on a day-to-day basis and I feel I have no reason to get excited about it. I am not really bothered,” said Buhain. “I have been in this office for 636 days.”
Buhain said it was business as usual for his part amid rumors of his ouster.
“I haven’t resigned,” said the bemedalled swimmer. “I haven’t received anything that says I have been replaced.” Buhain said he has no idea where the latest report came from. “Honestly I don’t know who is behind this. But I was told it came from the Senate media,” he said.
Malaca?ang was quick to deny reports that Buhain has been replaced by Sen. Jaworski’s son. Deputy spokesman Ricardo Saludo said that there is no truth to reports that Buhain has been ousted as chief of PSC.
