Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is set to assume the position of chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), marking a new era in the agency tasked with overseeing the nation’s sports development programs.
Gregorio will take over from Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, who has held the position since 2023, the Philippine Daily Inquirer first reported and confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by multiple sources closely monitoring the situation.
Bachmann, a former PBA and UAAP executive, was appointed after Noli Eala’s brief stint as PSC chairman, which lasted from August to December 2022.
Under Bachmann’s leadership, the PSC saw efforts to strengthen grassroots programs and support elite athletes, laying the groundwork for Gregorio’s tenure.
Pato, the eldest son of the late Martin Verdeprado Gregorio, brings a wealth of experience in sports leadership to the table.
He has long been involved in Philippine sports, having previously headed the sports marketing arm of Smart Communications Inc. and serving as chairman of the PBA during its 40th season.
Currently, Gregorio serves as the president of the Philippine Rowing Association, an NSA that has successfully produced two Olympians in recent Olympic cycles.
Gregorio also played a key role in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as the chef de mission for the Philippine delegation, along with now Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Jonvic Remulla.
In this capacity, he worked Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino.
Gregorio and Remulla are also both well-known supporters of the University of the Philippines basketball program.
As Gregorio takes the reins of the PSC, both he and Tolentino are committed to fostering a more streamlined and consistent flow of communication between the PSC and POC.
