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Angping, Atienza loom as frontrunners for Ramirez post
Written by staff   
Saturday, 24 January 2009 03:57

Any day from now, William “Butch” Ramirez will step down as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, and this early, a few names have cropped up as his possible replacement.

Ramirez received a call from Malacañang the other day, and was told that President Arroyo, who put him in charge of the government agency in 2005, has accepted his resignation.

Being considered as his replacement are former Manila congressman and RP softball association president Harry Angping, Manila Sports Council chief Ali Atienza and ex-PSC commissioner Jose Mundo.

Other names that have been considered in the past were former senator and basketball legend Robert Jaworski, Ateneo’s Jose Capistrano and former PSC board member Ray Roquero.

But whoever is named as next PSC chairman may not stay there too long because President Arroyo’s term ends in 2010. The status of the PSC chairman is co-terminus with that of the president.

Ramirez joined the PSC as commissioner in 1998, and became OIC in 2005. He was officially appointed as the seventh chairman of the PSC in July 7, 2007, taking over Eric Buhain.

Due to politics and health problems, Ramirez was persuaded by his family to give up his post. He first offered to resign after the 2006 Doha Asian Games, but was prevailed upon by Malacañang.

This time, there’s no turning back.

Ramirez, who’s in Bacolod attending the ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines) congress, said he would devote his time in boxing now that his tenure with the sports agency is soon to end.

“I’m happy with my experience in sports. My enthusiasm in sports is now pointed to boxing so I think I’ll be able to help them (ABAP) in Davao City, Mindanao and the region,” said Ramirez.

“Of course, each one of us has an experience of his own. With mine, I hope I could put in shape the skills, the vision and the aspirations of ABAP. I think with (ABAP chair) Manny V. Pangilinan and (president) Ricky Vargas in the lead, boxing is in good hands,” he added.

“He’s ready to go anytime. But until he receives the official papers from the Palace he will not abandon his post,” said Fr. Vic Uy, who plays the dual role as PSC commissioner and executive director.

There have been big changes in the PSC the past year or two with the inclusion of Akiko Thomson, Eric Loretizo and Fr. Uy as commissioners, although one more slot, vacated by Ambrocio de Luna, has to be filled.

“Since October last year we’ve been lacking one commissioner. Now the chairman is going. Pilay kami (we’re crippled). I don’t even know if there’s a re-shuffling that will also affect us commissioners,” Fr. Uy said.

Ramirez is in Bacolod in his capacity as regional director of the amateur boxing association. He will be in Manila today to preside over a PSC board meeting – probably his last as chairman.

“He had wanted to leave for some time now. And besides, his doctor had advised him to take a rest or he faces the risk of developing pneumonia,” added Fr. Uy, who calls the shots at the PSC when Ramirez is not around.

Ramirez said the chances of his staying as head of the Philippine Sports Institute and its survival would be up to the incoming chair.

“I will leave it to the new PSC chair to decide on it,” said Ramirez. “Really, the PSI was charted purposely for the coaches education and grassroots sports. It’s really a vital prescription for the country.”

Asked what his legacy was, Ramirez said: “Good governance, honesty, competence and love not just for the athletes but for sports as a whole.”
 
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