PSC Chairman Ramirez reconsiders, accepts SEA Games CDM role
PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez will be the chef de mission (CDM) of the country to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games after all. This, after he reconsidered his previous decision to decline the offer.
In a joint press conference with Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas on Wednesday at the conference room of the PSC, Mr. Ramirez said he came to a decision to reconsider after humbly declining the offer the previous day.
Citing the importance of “national interest” in the hosting of the biennial sporting meet and commitment to the duties of being a sports leader, Mr. Ramirez is stepping on the plate.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), I declined the offer to be Chef de Mission of Team Philippines for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games, which we host in five months. I declined for many reasons, two topmost of these are that I see no need to have a title to help the team, being already involved as the Chairman of the government’s sports agency and, delicadeza,” Mr. Ramirez said as he accepted the post of CDM.
“I am in constant communication with my superiors in Malacañang, continually monitoring and assessing 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 should be of all,” he added.
Mr. Ramirez went on to express his support for the POC as it continues the work in preparing for the SEA Games which the country is hosting this year from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13.
“I do this for the interest of unity. Through this, I express my solid support to the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee. We must stand as one,” the PSC chair said.
Adding, “I do this in the interest of protecting our national commitment. While we all have our own interests, we are duty-bound to prioritize national interest above all.”
For his part, POC’s Vargas expressed his gratitude to Mr. Ramirez for reconsidering.
“I know it was not an easy decision. I thank Butch Ramirez for his sacrifice in accepting the role of chef de mission to the SEA Games,” Mr. Vargas said.
The offer for Mr. Ramirez to be CDM came on the heels of a surprising and sweeping organizational change in the POC by Mr. Vargas on Monday in their general assembly with national sports association members, where several key officials were removed from their posts.
Among those stripped of their posts was Monsour Del Rosario of taekwondo as CDM for Team Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games.
Also removed were Robert Bachmann (squash) as chairman of the membership committee, Peping Cojuangco (equestrian) as chairman of the constitution and bylaws, and Joey Romasanta as CDM to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Mr. Vargas said the decision was arrived at as he had lost trust and confidence in the aforementioned officials for what he said were their continuous efforts to undermine his leadership and move for reforms as well as his integrity.
Mr. Vargas replaced Mr. Cojuangco as POC president in February last year.
Messrs. Ramirez and Vargas were joined in the press conference yesterday by POC officials Ed Picson and Karen Caballero. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
