By Edwin Rollon

THE honeymoon period is over between officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping.

In an unprecedented move that it said was a protest against alleged blatant violations of the provisions of the Olympic Charter and Republic Act 6847, the law which created the PSC, the POC executive board has formulated a strongly worded resolution asking President Arroyo to immediately relieve Angping of the PSC chairmanship.

Copies of the resolution were furnished to Malaca?ang, the Senate and the Lower House in Congress.

?He runs the government sports agency contrary to the policy of the PSC and the provisions of the Olympic Charter. His actions, particularly against overseas natural-born Filipino athletes, are discriminatory and constitute blatant violations of the Olympic Charter. He invites disaster for Philippine sports, so to prevent possible suspension from the International Olympic Committee, the POC is left with no option but to call for his immediate termination in the PSC,? wrote POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco during yesterday?s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Shakey?s Restaurant in UN Avenue, Manila.

?The POC hereby calls on President Arroyo to immediately relieve Angping and appoint an individual possessing critical understanding of Philippine sports and ensure its development and true progress by fostering a harmonious relationship between the POC, the government and the national sports associations. The POC has the highest respect for the President, but what Mr. Angping has done early in his term is to divide the sports community and seriously jeopardize the interest of our country,? added Cojuangco.

Angping was appointed by Malaca?ang last Feb. 2 replacing William ?Butch? Ramirez. Only on his 30 days as chairman of the PSC, the former envoy to China already lived up to his stature as a ?straight shooter,? issuing statements against Fil-foreign players, getting tough on sports associations which has pending unliquidated reports and even formed his own task force for swimming and athletics.

But the POC claimed Angping?s moves is tainted with politics, which according to Cojuangco poses a threat to the unity and harmony in Philippine sports.

Angping supported Art Macapagal in last November?s election against Cojuangco. The former Tarlac representative edged out Macapagal, 21-19.

IOC representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde also penned his signature in the three-page resolution, vowing that ?unless PSC chairman Angping is relieved immediately, the POC shall sever any type of relationship with the PSC to avoid possible IOC sanction.?

Meanwhile, Angping appealed to the executive board of the POC not to get too emotional.

?I think they?re just too emotional about things. Perhaps, I don?t think they?re really serious. Parang mag-asawang nagtampuhan lang iyan,? said Angping.