THE Philippine Sports Commission has affirmed its commitment to fulfilling the requirements set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This clarification comes in response to potential sanctions raised by the organization on Friday.
In an official statement, the PSC said the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) is actively working towards meeting the requirements laid down by the recognized anti-doping watchdog.
This effort has been underway since it was brought to the PSC’s attention in September, the government sports agency assured.
READ PH faces Olympic flag ban after WADA flags non-compliance
The PSC said steps were taken from September to December, or before the extended deadline of January 22 set by WADA to comply. The PHI-NADO is nearing completion of the said requirements by WADA, the PSC added.
The PHI-NADO, the country's national anti-doping body, is under the auspices of the PSC.
"We wish to reassure the public that these possible sanctions are avoidable. We are fully engaged in a constructive dialogue with WADA, working collectively to address any remaining concerns and to ensure that our national athletes can continue to compete on the global stage with honor and integrity," said the PSC.
PSC met with WADA officials
The PSC said a meeting was held last Thursday attended by WADA officials Ying Cui and Perumal Saravana, Southeast Asian Regional Anti-Doping Organization director general Gobinathan Nair, PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, Executive Director Paulo Francisco TTD, PHI-NADO head Alejandro Pineda, and Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Wharton Chan.
"The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is aware of recent speculations regarding the possibility of the Philippines facing sanctions in prestigious sporting events such as the Olympics, Asian Games, and SEA Games due to alleged non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. We understand the concerns raised, and we would like to address these matters with utmost transparency and accountability," the statement read.
The POC said the Philippines is facing the risk of its flag not being flown in international competitions after WADA said PHI-NADO has not complied with some procedural matters that are contained in the code.
WADA has asked the PSC to "develop and implement an effective, intelligent, and proportionate Test Distribution Plan."
WADA also cited a 2016 case where an athlete tested positive but was not notified by the PSC.
The government sports agency reiterated that it is serious about complying with WADA.
"We acknowledge the importance of adhering to the WADA Code and upholding the principles of fair play and integrity in sports. In response to the aforementioned allegations, we would like to clarify that the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO), under the auspices of the PSC, has taken prompt and decisive actions to rectify any potential matters related to non-compliance with the WADA Code," the PSC said.
"A series of activities in relation to the compliance was conducted by PHI-NADO from September to December of last year, prior to the extended deadline set by WADA last January 22nd," said the PSC.
"After receiving evaluations from WADA, certain revisions relating to critical requirements of the Code, are now being worked upon. PHI-NADO has reported that we are nearing closure for these requirements within a 21-day period."
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