Philippine Sports Commission Patrick Gregorio at the 2026 AVC Women’s Cup in Candon. AVC photo
CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio said Monday that their focus is putting up a national team program focused on the athletes that would eventually represent the country in the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
This, as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) continues to be hounded by issues — the latest being the withdrawal of support by majority of its executive board for its chief, Tonyboy Liao, to which the latter criticized.
The PNVF was recently suspended by the FIVB for “serious governance concerns and multiple purported violations of the FIVB Code of Ethics,” and it will be suspended by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in its general assembly this month.
Although, Gregorio noted that the issues are already being addressed by the FIVB and the POC, despite declining to give his thoughts on the matter.
“I don't want to comment on that because nandoon na po ‘yan sa FIVB and assignment po ‘yan ng Philippine Olympic Committee. Basta sa amin lang po, kami sa Philippine Sports Commission, gusto lang namin na talagang ang focus is on the national team program,” Gregorio told reporters at the sidelines of the ongoing 2026 AVC Women’s Cup, accompanying Candon Mayor Eric Singson at the Candon City Arena.
READ: Majority of PNVF executive board 'withdraws support' for fed chief Tonyboy Liao
“We are hosting the World Championship in 2029. Before you know it, it's 2029. Kailangan i-focus natin ‘yung suporta natin sa development ng mga atleta,” he added.
Gregorio believes that the federation-related concerns will eventually be settled by the FIVB alongside the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).
“So ako naman, naniniwala na ‘yung FIVB, together with the Asian Volleyball Confederation ay maso-solve kaagad ‘yang issue na ‘yan on the (Philippine National Volleyball Federation) sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.