After getting the stamp of approval from Malacañang for him to stay on as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Harry Angping continued to reach out to the Philippine Olympic Committee officials who want him out of his post.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in the weekly press briefing at Malacañang, said the rift between the PSC and POC officials is just “a matter of trying to understand the policies” and that it should be ironed out soon.

Jose Cojuangco, POC president, the other day called on President Arroyo to relieve Angping as PSC chairman, or else the POC will be forced to sever all ties with the government sports agency tasked to provide funding for sports.

But Malacañang said no.

“It is not for us to jump into that suggestion to change him. I believe that they can work this out. He is staying as chairman of the PSC,” said Ermita, adding that Angping will meet with Health Sec. Francisco Duque, who has oversight functions over the PSC, before calling for a conciliatory meeting with those seeking his ouster.

Angping said that’s what he’s going to do.

“But let it cool down. Next week when they are ready, let’s sit down and talk to them. I will always reach out to them. May be all 14 of them. We should have a dialogue,” said Angping.

But it seems that Cojuangco and company, including POC chairman Monico Puentevella and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde, had slammed the door on any reconciliation.

“It would be easier to remove him than come up with a solution. Is this person that untouchable that he will have to be retained? For what reason? Wouldn’t it be better he be given another job in government then give us someone we can work with?” Cojuangco said.

“ I think we made our position very clear. I don’t think anybody can back out of this statement,” added Cojuangco after reading the three-page “oust-Angping” resolution carrying the signatures of 14 POC officials.

Cojuangco also said the POC should have a hand in the selection of the PSC chairman, a privilege or prerogative that belongs solely to the President.

“It (chairman) should come from a list of recommendees of the POC to ensure a harmonious relationship between the two groups. And once they are appointed they should have a fixed term so they cannot be removed,” said Cojuangco.

However, a PSC official who requested anonymity said it’s like “the POC is dictating on President Arroyo” and that these suggestions are being done “so the next PSC chairman will be indebted to them, someone they can control.”

The POC officials said Angping erred in saying that he wants a say in the formation of the RP team to the Laos SEA Games in December, and was being discriminatory when he said he planned to put a stop to the practice of enlisting foreign-based, foreign-bred Filipinos to represent the country in major international competitions.

They also said Angping setting up a task force to develop a grassroots program for swimming, without any relationship to the association, is a total violation of the Olympic charter.

“It’s just a matter of difference in opinion on some policies. It’s more like a lovers’ quarrel,” said Angping.

“Lahat naman ng organizations nagkakaroon ng misunderstandings so mapapag-usapan din yan (Almost all organizations have some misunderstandings but they always find solutions to these),” said Ermita. “The POC misconstrued Angping’s earlier statement but it does not necessarily mean that he has made a decision not to include in the selection those being trained in the United States.

“Second, as a matter of policy he said he wants the PSC to spend the money equally and equitably and distribute them and not so much money being spent on a few individuals,” said Ermita after being informed that part of the fund goes to foreign-based Filipino athletes. With report from Marvin Sy