Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann on Tuesday, Oct. 10, clarified that he has no knowledge on the sudden release of the Commission on Audit (COA) reports to Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) unliquidated matters three days before the start of the 19^th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

He even said that he has no signature on the letter, so the letter prepared by PSC’s in-house COA did not pass by his office.

“I have no signature and therefore, the PSC is not involved,” said Bachmann, adding that COA operates independently from the PSC and has the authority to examine, audit and settle all governmental accounts including those of the POC.

“The timing and issuance of letters to the POC by the COA are therefore not within the purview of the PSC,” Bachmann said in a press briefing.

“These demand or confirmation letters are routinely sent to entities with unliquidated balances and the POC is no exception,” he added.

Bachmann also said the notice on POC’s unliquidated funds is a standard procedure practiced by COA.

But why did COA deliver the letter when POC officials were preparing and encouraging the PH athletes for the “war” against their Asian rivals?

That puzzled and gave POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino the fits.

Before a small group of reporters covering the Asiad in Hangzhou, Tolentino slammed the move because it was given right after the formal flag-raising ceremony at the Asian Games Village.

“While we were here on the first day [September 19] and waving the Philippine flag, they sent us the letter with an instruction “to answer within five days” upon receipt,” Tolentino said. “Give me one valid reason for the Filipino people on the timing of the sending the letter … Why? To distract us? That’s malicious intent … bad faith.”

The letter, dated Sept. 20, indicates a P10 million unliquidated financial assistance to the POC for the Filipino athletes’ participation in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

Tolentino was elected interim president only in 2018 and officially got the post in 2020.

Bachmann, however, said the PSC “do not believe that COA intended it to be a distraction, and neither was it PSC’s.”

“From the start, we have only been transparent and try to preserve our integrity as mandated by COA regulations and PSC policies -- with considerations accorded,” Bachmann said.

“I think the key here is that the PSC and COA should have a stronger collaboration. I’ve been trying to set a meeting with COA for the past few months. Hopefully now we can set a meeting and we can discuss this issue from 15 to 20 years ago, including the POC,” he added.

Bachmann also stressed that the issue would not affect the athletes’ future participations in international meets especially in the 2024 Paris Olympics, even also from National Sports Associations with unliquidated issues.

“The PSC is here to help the athletes and the POC. The PSC is not below POC. I would think at par,” he said.