Cojuangco withdraws protest vs PSC-La Salle football deal

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) yesterday recalled its protest against the alleged “midnight deal” between De La Salle University and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on the management of the Rizal Memorial football field, claiming everything seems aboveboard, and that the issue got blown out of proportion.

After sitting down with ranking La Salle officials, POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco yesterday said he doesn’t see anything wrong with the controversial transaction that will create a P7.4-million field and an educational institution inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The POC boss, however, is still waiting for a copy of the memorandum of agreement between the two agencies to formally resolve the matter.

“The way things are going, wala naman palang problema, napalaki lang talaga ng ganun ang issue,” said Cojuangco, who even earlier threatened to file a civil case against the two institutions should they fail to furnish him a copy of the agreement.

“Sa mga sinasabi nila (La Salle officials), I don’t see any problem. They have nothing to do with management. Tumutulong lang sila. I don’t see any problem there.”

Under the agreement inked between PSC chairman Harry Angping and La Salle president Armin Luistro, La Salle will renovate the football field and establish an educational institution for former and active members of Team Philippines in exchange for the PSC’s approval to use their facility for certain hours a day.

Luistro said their football team will also be training there regularly as well as some Physical Education students who will be holding their classes.

But contrary to what POC officials believe, the control of the 76-year-old structure will still be on the PSC.

“I think all of these things have to be considered… I really believe that we should do something about improving the training facilities in the country,” Cojuangco said.