Bowling great Olivia “Bong” Coo already took her oath of office, marking the official start of her term as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.
According to a ranking PSC official, the 74-year-old Coo took her oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacanang last Thursday to formally become the first member of the five-man board of commissioners.
A four-time world champion and member of the World Bowling Hall of Fame, Coo was appointed as commissioner by the new administration last month.
It, however, took some time before she could formally assume her responsibilities as the Chief Executive took his sweet time before appointing the PSC chairman and three other commissioners.
Sideliners believe that the race to the PSC chairmanship is now down to two candidates: Rowing chief Patrick Gregorio and obstacle course boss Atty. Alberto Agra.
Gregorio, a former Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general, is said to have an edge as he is being backed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and the group of boxing chairman Ricky Vargas.
Meanwhile, Agra, a former acting justice secretary and acting solicitor general, is said to be favored as well for his deep understanding of sports law and the dynamics of government practices.
But so far, no announcement has been made, except for Coo.
“She already took her oath of office before the President at Malacanang last Thursday. She officially started working as PSC commissioner on Friday,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity in deference to the new PSC executive.
The source added that Coo’s first major assignment is to replace Atty. Guillermo Iroy as the agency’s officer-in-charge, the highest-ranking career official.
In fact, Iroy reached out to Executive Secretary Atty. Vic Rodriguez last week to request for Coo’s designation as OIC that will make sure that all the operational and administrative functions of the PSC will run smoothly while the athletes will continue their training at various government sports facilities.
“She (Coo) will start serving as OIC on Monday being the lone member of the PSC board of commissioners,” the source said.
“We’re glad to have her here and we are looking forward to having a good working relationship with her.”