Philippines secures WADA clearance from compliance order –PSC

The Philippines no longer risks a possible flag ban in Olympics and other major sporting events after the country secured clearance from the World Anti-Doping Agency regarding a compliance issue.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) made the announcement on Tuesday, sharing that the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization has undertaken the corrective measures to comply with the WADA code. The procedures, WADA added, have also been closed.

The issue came to light when WADA flagged the country regarding a case of one athlete who yielded a positive drug test result in 2016 but wasn’t given notification by PSC or its anti-doping arm, which is the PHI-NADO.

“I am pleased to confirm that in light of the latest developments, the Compliance Review Committee has decided to sign off the remaining pending critical corrective actions relating to testing and results management,” WADA’s Chief Compliance Manager Emiliano Simonelli said through an email sent to PHI-NADO head Dr. Alejandro Pineda.

“As a result the compliance procedure has now been closed and the case will not be filed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said the recent events further encouraged the sports governing body to promote sporting venues free from any doping activities.

“We would like to thank WADA for all the support to resolve all issues. The PSC in coordination with PHI-NADO will continue to make improvements and propose the proper legislation in compliance with the WADA Code 20.5.1 to avoid future issues,” Bachmann said.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News