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| Dickie Bachmann confirmed that he resigned as PSC chairman to follow president Bongbong Marcos' directive last month. UAAP Season 85 Media Team (file photo) |
MANILA--Dickie Bachmann confirmed on Monday that he submitted a courtesy resignation to president Bongbong Marcos, eventually paving the way for Pato Gregorio to step in as the new Philippine Sports Commission chairman.
According to Bachmann, he joined Marcos' call for a courtesy resignation last month as part of the national government's recalibration ahead of the second half of the latter's presidency.
"In line with the President’s directive to all Cabinet members and Heads of Agencies, I submitted my courtesy resignation a month ago. This decision was made in good faith, with full respect for the President's authority and prerogative," Bachmann said in a statement on Monday.
Since taking over from renowned sportscaster Noli Eala in 2023, Bachmann has witnessed historic moments like the best showing of the Filipino athletes in the Asian Games that said year highlighted by Gilas Pilipinas' historic men's 5-on-5 gold after 61 years, the Carlos Yulo-led Philippine team campaign in the Paris Olympics where the star gymnast won two golds, and the breakthrough curling gold in the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
"The most fulfilling part of public service is witnessing the potential of Filipinos to reach historic achievements. I am deeply grateful to have been part of remarkable milestones in Philippine sports. Our collective efforts have brought joy, inspiration, and strength to the Filipino people. The country’s impressive performance in the Paris 2024 Olympics inspired the nation, especially as we celebrated the centennial year of Philippine participation in this prestigious event. Philippine sports also demonstrated its growing dynamics with our men’s curling team securing the nation’s first-ever gold in any winter multi-sporting event through the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. Filipinos also made an outstanding showing at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, achieving the country’s best overall ranking since the last three decades," Bachmann continued.
The change in the PSC leadership came at a time when the Filipino athletes are ramping up their preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.
However, Bachmann expressed optimism that the Philippine team will do well with the improved performances.
"We have also further solidified our standing in the Southeast Asian Games, with preparations already underway for this year’s edition in Thailand," he further said.
Bachmann also took pride in the success of the programs designed to boost the local grassroots sports, as well as extending the reach of the game to persons with disabilities and indigenous people.
"Beyond these international achievements, we have built a strong foundation to optimize the country’s sports landscape. The proactive participation of Filipino youth in programs like Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games fills us with hope for a brighter future for Philippine sports. We have also empowered sports as a tool for inclusivity, recognition, and community development through initiatives like enabling the potential of all persons with disabilities through the Philippine National Para Games, celebration of significant contributions of Women in Sports, the mobilization of communities through the Laro’t Saya Program, the preservation of Filipino culture through Indigenous Peoples Games, and the commitment to Safe Sport," he further said.
Under Bachmann's watch, the Philippines became the host of major sporting events like the FIBA World Cup and the ICF Dragonboat World Championships.
With the cities of Bocaue, Quezon, Pasay, and Puerto Princesa successfully hosting the said events, Bachmann said that they just solidified the status of the Philippines as one of the emerging global sports hosts, all the more that the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championships and the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup are coming up.
"We have also stressed the potential of the Philippines as one of the global sporting destinations with our excellent hosting of prestigious tournaments, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 ICF Dragonboat World Championships, among others Currently, the country’s historic hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships, the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, and the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Junior Championships are just around the corner. This has further cemented the capacity of the country as a global sports tourism hub," Bachmann further said.
As he leaves the PSC "with a deep sense of fulfillment," Bachmann thanked the entire staff, the national teams, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the sports stakeholders.
"Together, we have implemented policies to strengthen our grassroots and elite athlete programs, delivered organizational optimization for the PSC, and secured significant budget increases from the recent years, which benefit all sports stakeholders and empower individuals to achieve their dreams," he further said.
He concluded by wishing Gregorio "all the best in continuing the mission we all deeply believe in."
Gregorio will hold his first press conference as the new PSC chairman on Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
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