By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Supreme Court has acquitted former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a graft charge connected to the training of the national swimming team.
In a long battle with justice, the highest court reversed the earlier decision of the Sandiganbayan regarding the charges against Ramirez and two other former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation executives that stemmed from Pagcor’s direct release of around P37 million of public funds to the then Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA), the country’s governing body of aquatics, in 2008 and 2009.
Based on the SC’s resolution, the direct release of the funds to PASA was a unilateral action by Pagcor that was duly authorized by its board and that Ramirez did not give any unwarranted benefit or advantage to PASA at the expense of other athletes or sports associations.
The funds were also deducted from PSC’s five-percent gross monthly income share from Pagcor was returned through offsetting, clearing Ramirez of any wrongdoing.
The prosecution earlier contested the transfers were in violation of Sec. 26 of Republic Act 6847, which explicitly states that the PSC should be the lone recipient of the stipulated Pagcor share and nobody else.
Under Ramirez’s tenure, the country thrived in the international stage with a breakthrough Olympic gold medal feat courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the Tokyo Games.
