THERE are public and private advocates bidding for the retention of Baham Mitra and William “Butch” Ramirez as heads of the Games and Amusements Board and Philippine Sports Commission, respectively, under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Mitra and Ramirez, who were appointed by former President Duterte, were supposed to step down yesterday but no names have been announced so far by Malacanang as their successors.
In the case of Mitra, prominent boxing managers, promoters, trainers, boxers and judges have signed a petition asking for his retention as GAB chairman along with the present board, a testament to their productive six-year stint at the helm of the government agency overseeing professional sports.
“Our association believes that in the case of professional sports, particularly boxing, significant professional boxing programs have proven to be beneficial in the boxing community (under the GAB leadership of Mitra),” the Association of Professional Boxing Promoter, Managers, Matchmakers, Judges, Trainers and Boxers said in its petition.
The group cited the GAB’s initiatives during Mitra’s term such as free medical examinations for boxers renewing their licenses, financial relief during the pandemic and creating job opportunities with the licensing of pro leagues in various sports.
As a result, GAB was honored twice as Boxing Commission of the Year by the Mexico-based World Boxing Council.
“We believe that the GAB under chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra and commissioners Eduard Trinidad and Braulio Lagrisola has performed extraordinarily well through remarkable specific accomplishments and initiatives,” the pro boxing association said.
Among those who signed the petition were boxing promoter-manager Maria Laurita “Cucuy” Elorde, the daughter of the late boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Laura Elorde; promoter-manager Shielhawy Lalanto, managers Col. (ret.) Roque Salcedo Marban, Charlemagne Marban and Charlemagne Marban IV, former pro Dino Olivetti and coach Victor Saludar III, among others.
Meanwhile, sources said a low-key PSC executive, who supported Marcos Jr. during the campaign, could play a pivotal role in Ramirez staying on for another spell at the sports agency.
“This executive knows how chairman Ramirez thinks and plans. He supported Bongbong Marcos and could have a pipeline to the inner circle of the new President,” a longtime PSC employee told Malaya Business-Insight.
