Pichay pleads not guilty to chess tourney raps
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Pichay pleads not guilty to chess tourney raps
Carolyn Bonquin,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 23, 2017 04:40 PM PHT
MANILA - Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him in connection with a chess event he sponsored using government funds.
MANILA - Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him in connection with a chess event he sponsored using government funds.
Pichay is facing grafts and ethics charges before the Sandiganbayan’s 5th Division over his alleged illegal approval of the release of P1.5 million Local Water Utilities Administration funds in 2010 for a chess event.
Pichay is facing grafts and ethics charges before the Sandiganbayan’s 5th Division over his alleged illegal approval of the release of P1.5 million Local Water Utilities Administration funds in 2010 for a chess event.
In an interview, Pichay insisted he did not commit any violation.
In an interview, Pichay insisted he did not commit any violation.
"I believe we did not violate any law because even the Constitution promotes sports. National Chess Federation of the Philippines is a national sports association being supported by the government,” Pichay said.
"I believe we did not violate any law because even the Constitution promotes sports. National Chess Federation of the Philippines is a national sports association being supported by the government,” Pichay said.
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“In fact, we are encouraged not only in all government agencies but including government corporations to support sports.”
“In fact, we are encouraged not only in all government agencies but including government corporations to support sports.”
He said the case filed by the Ombudsman was "very peculiar" when his action was supposedly to support sports.
He said the case filed by the Ombudsman was "very peculiar" when his action was supposedly to support sports.
"In fact, because of my leadership in NCFP, a Filipino is now number two in the world in chess. We should be proud of that achievement," said Pichay.
"In fact, because of my leadership in NCFP, a Filipino is now number two in the world in chess. We should be proud of that achievement," said Pichay.
"It's not unethical. It can only be unethical if I had personal benefits. I did not have personal benefits at all because the money went to the tournament. And as I said, government agencies are being encouraged to support sports."
"It's not unethical. It can only be unethical if I had personal benefits. I did not have personal benefits at all because the money went to the tournament. And as I said, government agencies are being encouraged to support sports."
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