New Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato“ Gregorio at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, July 1, 2025. Photo from Philippine Sports Commission/Facebook.MANILA — Newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio has officially started his term this past week.
The government’s official arm for sports was turned over to the tenured sportsman last Tuesday, July 1, and he has since then laid out his plans for the PSC.
Among Gregorio’s agendas are to further enable the country’s athletes, raise the level of sports in the country and utilize it for economic growth, and use sports as a way to promote healthy citizenry.
With these goals, the former PBA Chairman is prioritizing projects that focus on boosting sports tourism, creating a national sports foundation, streamlining processes of National Sporting Associations (NSA), especially for their athletes, creating national championships for NSAs, digitalization of athletes’ profiles, and many more.
Gregorio, however, acknowledges that he will have only three years to complete these, as it is expected that his term to be adjacent to that of the current Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who will conclude his post in mid-2028.
Despite this, Gregorio is committed to delivering and making the most out of what could be a short term that will also see the Philippines participate and host in tournaments such as the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships, 2026 Asian Games, 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“Three years, it’s so short already, pero andyan na po tayo so we hit the ground running,” said Gregorio during an appearance in Noli Eala’s Power & Play on Saturday. “I started in corporate and in the tourism sector. Yan ay ogranzations na if you micromanage, hindi po gagalaw yan.”
“Kaya po nung kausap ko yung PSC, sabi ko: ‘I was a general manager of a 600-room hotel at the age of 30, and I had 1,200 people under me, so ang pinaka skill set ko dyan is I know how to tap you, and what responsibility to give you.’”
“Sabi ko: ‘Nasa mga 400 tayo dito sa PSC, so gagamitin ko po yan ng mabuti. I will empower you, at alam kong alam niyo paano i-solve yan, so ‘wag kayong matakot na sabihin sa akin kung ano ang solusyon dyan. Basta idea mo, panindigan mo,’” he added.
Gregorio expressed his confidence in the present commissioners and composition of his office.
“Naniniwala ako na if the men and women of PSC are empowered, we can do our projects faster,” he said. “Sabi ko lang naman po sa kanila, kung ano ang pananaw niyo, as long as yung part ng program ng PSC ay naka-align sa gusto niyo, then I will support you. Yun po ang pinaka sagot ko. I’m not the type who micromanages.”
“Ako rin po ay 24/7, nasanay na walang Sabado at Linggo, so pasensya na po kung ite-text ko kayo ng alas-onse ng gabi para hindi ko makalimutan yung iu-utos ko,” he added.
To get things going, Gregorio shared that they have already started maintenance for the facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, and at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“Ngayon po, parang general cleaning kami sa facilities sa Rizal Memorial, sa PhilSports, kasi ang facilities management forte ko yan,” he shared. “Isang tingin pa lang, alam ko na, so pag nakita niyo yan, alam na ng atleta yan, at kasama yan sa distraction ng training.”
The PSC will also have a general assembly with athletes, coaches, and NSA officials on Tuesday, July 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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