The hard work is done, at least according to Yeng Guiao. Now shareholders have to ensure that PSC will get its full funds.
Yeng Guiao has won the battle at the Supreme Court, but the fight is far from over.
The former congressman of Pampanga and current Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach emphasized that the focus of shareholders should be on ensuring that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) would actually get its full funding, following the decision handed out by the Supreme Court.
"Ayaw natin na parang moral victory lang ito. Legally and morally we’re standing on solid grounds. Yung bulk of the work andiyan na eh," Guiao said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday. He was accompanied by his lawyer Atty. Avelino "Jun" Guzman Jr.
[ALSO READ: 'For generations to come': Yeng Guiao lauds SC decision ordering PAGCOR, PCSO to remit funds to PSC]
The high court unanimously decided in favor of Guiao, ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to remit a portion of their funds to the PSC.
PAGCOR is ordered to remit five percent of its gross income from 1993 to the present, while PCSO is orered to remit 30% of the charity fund of sweepstakes and lottery draws from 2006 to the present.
Currently, the PSC only receives 2.1375% of the PAGCOR remittance.
Guiao filed the case in 2016, when he was the chairperson of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development. The decision was promulgated back in May earlier this year. It was only announced this August.
"We don’t want this decision to become a paper judgement. Ang kailangan talaga dito yung pondo pumasok sa PSC," Guzman said. "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."
Guzman added PAGCOR and PCSO have 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.
Guiao estimates the PSC could get as much as P25-billion from the decision, which would be enough to fund sports complexes per region. It's more than enough to develop PSC's grassroots projects.
It would also greatly help in funding national athletes and their training abroad.
"Masarap pakinggan, magandang isipin. Pero ang dapat makinabang dito 'yung mga atleta. Makalimutan na kami, okay lang 'yun. Pero at least sa next generations of athletes, may na-contribute kami," said Guiao.