Dudot Jaworski being groomed as PSC chairman

Words came out that former Rep. Robert “Dudot” Jaworski Jr. is a cinch for the chairmanship of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) following the victory of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy”Aquino in the recent election.

A former PSC chairman himself confirmed yesterday the development to Tribune, claiming that Jaworski will be appointed as PSC boss in the first few months of the Aquino administration, or as soon as the newly elected Chief Executive formally assumes power on June 30.

Aside from being a former basketball player and representative of Pasig City, Jaworski is also the son-in-law of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, raising speculations that his possible appointment was heavily influenced by his closeness and affinity to Aquino’s outspoken uncle.

Tribune tried, but Jaworski couldn’t be reached for comment.

Another source inside the Aquino camp said the prime movers pushing for Jaworski’s possible appointment effectively skirted the law which bars the President from appointing his fourth-degree relatives.

Aquino and Jaworski are just related by affinity.

“It could be possible,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The people behind the (possible) appointment are making it look good.”

Cojuangco has been strongly batting to give the Olympic body a voice in the selection of the PSC chief so that “both agencies will always be on the same page on critical issues.”

Cojuangco, in fact, even called for a straw vote where he required members of the POC expanded executive council to nominate two names. POC spokesman Joey Romasanta and former sports editor Clarito Samson’s names were floated, but sources said the nomination was not for the PSC chairmanship, but only for members of the PSC board of commissioners.

The POC, through Romasanta, feigned innocence over the possible appointment, stressing that “the matter is for the (new) President to decide.” He also said there is no restriction on his appointment because Jaworski has no direct relationship to Aquino and he just happens to be the husband of Cojuangco’s daughter, Mikee.

“If the news is true, well and good,” said Romasanta, also the country’s chief of mission to the Guangzhou Asian Games. “He’s no stranger to sports. I know he can handle the pressure well and could productively collaborate with officials of the POC.”

“If he will be the next chairman of the PSC, we’ll pay him a courtesy visit immediately.”

“I will also volunteer myself to liaison between the PSC and the POC to improve the relationship of the two bodies. It think it’s about time for us to be on the same page. We cannot move forward in the preparation for the Asian Games because we’re still waiting on who will be the next PSC chairman.”

Jaworski, actually, is just one of the many officials on the shortlist of those being considered. Also being eyed are POC executives Mark Joseph, Manny Lopez and Steve Hontiveros as well as former PSC boss Philip Ella Juico and Samson.