THE clock is still ticking, the game is not yet over.
This was how PBA coach Yeng Guiao assessed the situation regarding the decision of the Supreme Court upholding his petition ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to hand over to the Philippine Sports Commission the accumulated share from the two government agencies' gross income as mandated by law.
Guiao, who filed the petition while he was still Pampanga congressman eight years ago, said during Tuesday's PSA Forum that he is keenly awaiting the actual execution of the SC decision which could mean a multibillion-peso bonanza for Philippine sports, which have been struggling to get funds for its various programs.
COLUMN: PH sports the big winner after Guiao victory in (Supreme) Court
"Ayaw natin na parang moral victory lang ito," he said. "Legally and morally, we’re standing on solid ground. Yung bulk of the work andiyan na, e.”
By his own estimate, Guiao said the two agencies - PAGCOR and the PCSO - owe the PSC as much as P25 billion based on the gaming agency's 2.1735 percent contribution from its gross income starting in 1993 which was mandated by an executive order during the term of President Ramos.
“Ang kuwenta ko, tingin ko nasa P25 billion siya,” said Guiao, who was accompanied to the PSA Forum by his lawyer, Avelino ‘Jun’ Guzman Jr.
The amount of remittances from the PCSO, which is 30 percent, however, was not available since it has to be computed from lotteries held since 2006.
“We don’t want this decision to become a paper judgement. Ang kailangan talaga dito yung pondo pumasok sa PSC,” added Guzman. “Kaya ang una talaga natin na dapat gawin ay bantayan ang decision na ito because as far as we’re concerned, nagawa na natin yung pinaka-mahirap na parte.”
Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen penned the decision that was heard en banc by the 15-man Supreme Court which handed down the decision last week.
No motion for reconsideration yet
Under the rules, according to Guzman, both PAGCOR and PCSO can no longer appeal the decision, but have 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.
As of Tuesday, the two government agencies have yet to make their move.
The Rain or Shine coach, who was the lone petitioner in the case, stressed that the money could be used to build sports complexes around the country and fund the training and campaign of Filipino athletes for years to come.
“Masarap pakinggan, magandang isipin. Pero ang dapat makinabang dito yung mga atleta. Makalimutan na kami, ok lang yun. Pero at least sa next generations of athletes, may na-contribute kami,” said Guiao
“Ang dapat lang makinabang diyan yung bayan, yung athletes, at yung sports program sa grassroots level.”
The PSA Forum is presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
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