PSC bares payroll padding scheme

The PSC found out about a corrupt practice within its office. Jess Escaros/PNA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippine Sports Commission stunned the sports community on Tuesday after it revealed a payroll padding scheme in its midst.

Commissioner Charles Maxey confirmed the news first reported by The Daily Tribune to Dugout Philippines.

"We sought the assistance of NBI regarding this," Maxey said through a text message.

Neither Maxey nor PSC OIC Mon Fernandez divulged further about the issue, but Fernandez, in a statement sent to various media outfits, said "that there were red flags which alerted us, and so we acted accordingly."

It was later revealed that a certain Paul Michael Ignacio is allegedly behind the anomaly.

In a letter sent by PSC executive director Merlita Ibay to the NBI, Ignacio, an employee in the PSC's personnel department, was said to have enlisted the names of national athletes and coaches no longer qualified to get allowances and used his bank account on their behalf.

Marietta Cabusao, LandBank's assistant vice president, noticed Ignacio's "unusual payroll transactions" and alerted the PSC regarding it.

"We hope that we can get to the truth and bring the accountable to justice swiftly," Fernandez continued.

The PBA legend then vowed, "The PSC will never waver in its duty to protect the interest of its stakeholders and the Filipino people."

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