WILLIAM “BUTCH” RAMIREZ  formally takes over the Philippine Sports Commission as officer-in-charge on Friday—a move welcomed by the Athletes and Coaches Association of the Philippines, which had lobbied hard for the removal of the agency’s previous boss, Eric Buhain.

Ramirez, one of the four current PSC commissioners under Buhain before President Arroyo transferred the latter to the Games and Amusements Board, officially takes the reins of the government sports agency in simple turnover ceremonies at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex at 10 a.m.

A native of Padada, the 54-year-old Ramirez received his appointment papers from Malacañang on Wednesday, ordered to take over Buhain’s duties until he or another candidate is officially appointed chair of the 15-year-old sports agency.

“In view of the exigency of the service, you are hereby designated Officer-In-Charge of the Philippine Sports Commission effective immediately,” said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita—Buhain’s father-in-law—in his letter formalizing Rami­rez’s appointment signed on January 4.

A holder of Master in Public Administration and Master in Business Administration degrees from Ateneo de Davao University, Ramirez vowed to be transparent in performing his tasks at the commission, and to focus on producing the country’s first Olympic gold in 2008 in Beijing, China.

“That is really the main instruction of President Arroyo during our discussion in Malacañang two days ago,” said Ramirez, who was appointed as PSC commissioner in November 2000 under then-Chair Carlos Tuason.

Among the PSC priorities he mentioned were the urgency of working for better quarters, food, training uniforms, vitamins and international exposures for the country’s more than 500 elite athletes.

“It’s been a humbling challenge for me working as PSC chairman for more than three years. I can only say to the new OIC to keep the athletes focused toward achieving athletic excellence,” he said in a statement.
 

Source: The Manila Times, Friday, January 7, 2005 issue