MON EXPOSES ‘ANOMALY’ IN KARATE FUNDS
PSC Commissioner Mon Fernandez discovers PKF athletes were shortchanged during SEAG preparation
The Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) is in hot water after an alleged anomaly in the training camp allowances of its athletes for the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).
After receiving a tip, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon Fernandez discovered that the karatekas were shortchanged in their allowances during their 20-day training camp from July 20 to Aug. 8 in Germany in preparation for the SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“The PSC gave them $1,800 (each) for their 20-day training in Germany prior to the SEA Games, (but only) €400 was given and they were made to sign for $1,800,” Fernandez told SunStar Cebu. “I was able to get their expose. Six of them signed it, including (OJ) James Delos Santos, from Cebu.”
The PSC approved the financial assistance for the Philippine National Karatedo squad, also known as the Philippine Typhoons, last July for a total of P3,217,874.75 for the Germany training camp.
The 12 athletes were supposed to receive an allowance of $1,800 each or roughly around P90,800 for the 20-day camp. However, the karatekas only received a total of €400 or around $470 instead of $1,800.
Fernandez wants to get to the bottom of this and to make the perpetrators answer for this anomaly.
“We are readying a complaint to be given to the NBI and VACC for investigation and filing of a case in the DOJ,” he said. “Athletes are now starting to open up to me, I just got the records from accounting, and voila!”
The Philippine Typhoons bagged three silvers and four bronzes in the SEAG. /