ATHLETES AND POLITICS : A RELEVANT MIX

LVPI President Joey Romasanta insists that players must not involve themselves in sports politics. I say otherwise.

Players must get involved in sports politics to know what is truly going on in their sport. Being involved in politics imparts knowledge to the player about the situation. Ultimately, being involved in sports politics enables a player to make an intelligent decision when the situation calls for it.

In the current volleyball crisis, Ateneo players are being herded like cows to the slaughterhouse because they remain unaware of the intricacies of the situation. They refuse to examine the facts on hand and merely rely and trust their sports leaders to do the right thing. Sadly, these sports leaders are simply out to serve their selfish interests than promote the welfare of their players. Thus, Ateneo players remain with the wrong group of people and could suffer dire consequences.

It is really best for Ateneo, as well as San Sebastian and NU players, to really get involved and be informed. It is best for the players to look out for themselves and not merely rely on the their sports officials. After all, they, the players, are ones who suffer most when sports leaders engage in politics.

RICKY PALOU AT THE SENATE HEARING

Below are the statements that Ateneo Athletics Director and Sports Vision President Ricky Palou made at the senate hearing on volleyball held last March 24, 2015.

From the transcript above, one will get the impression that  Shakey's V-League was never a member of Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) and that PVF wanted to kill Shakey's V-league. But the truth is, Shakey's V-League is a regular member of PVF and PVF came to rescue Shakey's V-League. Mr. Palou's group had to apply for membership to PVF to be able to bring in foreign players as per FIVB regulations. PVF accepted Shakey's V-League as a member to help its the foreign players obtain international transfer certificates (ITC). Shakey's V-League was able to get foreign players to play in its league with the help of PVF. PVF helped Ricky Palou and his group despite the objection of rival group Philippine Superliga.

So, how can Ricky Palou then say to Senators Cayetano and Angara that "they (PVF) tried to kill Shakey's V-League, but you know, they were not successful ?"

THE LIES THAT POC AND LVPI PEDDLE REVEALED AT THE PHILIPPINE SENATE HEARING

Below is a transcript of the senate hearing on volleyball that was conducted last March 24, 2015.

The transcript above clearly shows no less than Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia admitting to the fact that both PVF and LVPI are not recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee. The statements of Mr. Garcia clearly proves that POC lied to AVC and FIVB when it told the two volleyball governing bodies that LVPI is the POC-recognized NSA for Philippine volleyball. And how is it then that LVPI got "recognitions" from FIVB and AVC when it is not POC-recognized ?

Clearly, POC and LVPI connived to fool AVC, FIVB and the Filipino people to abolish PVF and put LVPI in place.

THE TRUTH REVEALED : LVPI IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY POC

Last March 25, 2015, Philippine Olympic Committee held its general assembly. The said general assembly was extremely crucial and controversial because it would determine if LVPI was to become the new national sports association for volleyball.

But when PVF President Boy Cantada, PVF Managing Director Otie Camangian and PVF legal counsel Atty Dexter Corpuz tried to enter the room where the GA was going to be held, LVPI and POC legal counsel Atty Malinao stepped in to prevent the three said PVF officials from entering the room. After much discussion, Atty Corpuz agreed not to insist on entering the GA room as Atty Malinao promised that the issues of kicking out PVF and accepting LVPI's membership were not going to be tackled by the general body.

Hence, to this day, LVPI remains unrecognized by POC itself. This too is the reason why the NSA Affairs Department of PSC does not have a single document saying that LVPI is the new NSA for volleyball. In fact, the personnel at NSA Affairs do not have the faintest idea what LVPI is and what it stands for.

Clearly, POC lied when it told AVC and FIVB that LVPI is now the new and POC-recognized NSA for Philippine volleyball. Clearly, LVPI lied to the players and general public when it announced that it is the new NSA for volleyball.

The lies must stop.

LETTERS OF RECOGNITION OF LVPI

Below are the alleged letters of recognition of LVPI from AVC and FIVB.

Are these letters of recognition or promissory notes ?

LETTER OF PVF PRESIDENT BOY CANTADA TO HEADS OF NSA'S

Dear NSA Head,

Good day.

I write this letter as incumbent president and representative of the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) to address the issue of the alleged revocation of of our recognition as the National Sports Association (NSA) for volleyball.

Let me state for the record that PVF was neither disbanded nor dissolved. The directors and officers have never been more united in the development of Philippine volleyball. As the official; NSA for volleyball, PVF continues to achieve, operate and function, contrary to the fabrication of some of the officials of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The claims of POC that the PVF is no longer recognized is a mere ploy to entrench a political monopoly in Philippine sports. This is an unathorized and illegal act that cannot be imposed unilaterally by the board of POC, much less by the dictatorship of any POC official. Nothing in the by-laws of POC refers to the revocation of a corporate charter as a ground for loss of recognition. Indeed, the only lawful method for the POC recognition is through a 3/4 vote of the General Assembly. Absent of such vote, we are firm that PVF is still the legitimate and official NSA for volleyball in the Philippines. To be sure, we continue to have the faith, confidence and support of stakeholders in Philippine volleyball.

WE CHALLENGE THE POC TO LET DUE PROCESS TAKE ITS COURSE AND SUBMIT THE ISSUE OF RECOGNITION OF THE PVF TO A GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON MARCH 25, 2015.

We appeal for your support. Stand by our side and bring back integrity and fair play to the management and administration of sports development in the Philippines. Let us demand that POC play by the rules of the game.

Mabuhay at maraming salamat.

Very truly yours,

Edgardo J. Cantada

WHAT THE LVPI U23 GIRLS MUST ASK THEMSELVES

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Incorporated (LVPI) President Joey Romasanta revealed the 14-woman pool for the U23 Philippine Women's Volleyball team yesterday afternoon. The pool is led by Ateneo player Alyssa Valdez, Aby Marano, Dindin Santiago-Manabat and her sister Jaja Santiago. Also in the pool are Jhie Morado, Bea de Leon, Gretchel Soltones, Alyssa Eroa, EJ Laure, Rea Meneses, Kim Fajardo, Tin Agno, Christine Rosario and Myla Pablo.

I am just shocked that these girls agreed to play for LVPI. LVPI is not recognized by FIVB and has no right to send a team to any FIVB event. FIVB will not and cannot issue a letter of attestation to LVPI since the letter will become the very evidence that FIVB violated its constitution. Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) will use the said letter of attestation of LVPI as primary evidence in a case that it will file before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in case FIVB indeed issues such an attestation.

Likewise, the girls are too naive to think that they will not be severely affected should PVF seek legal action against LVPI. The lawyer of PVF is Judd Roy who is a topnotch lawyer in the Philippines. Needless to say, Atty. Roy will exhaust all legal means to protect the interests of PVF.

But what is truly shocking for me is that these girls aligned themselves with the obviously-wrong, POC-backed LVPI. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that POC gravely abused its authority to form LVPI and dislocate PVF. The girls have senselessly compromised their integrity in playing for LVPI.

Ultimately, the question that the girls must ask themselves is whether joining LVPI is the right thing to do. The question is really that simple.

LVPI AND ITS TEAM PILIPINAS : DOOMED TO FAIL FROM THE VERY START

For the third straight time, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas failed to assemble the country's volleyball teams that are set to compete in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore and U23 Asian Women's Championships in Manila. LVPI failed to get a single male volleyball player and  only managed to convince 6 female players to join its fold, according to a report.(see report)

The failure of LVPI to come up with the necessary teams is just the start of the many difficulties that it will face. Philippine Volleyball Federation will certainly waste no time in making life hard for LVPI. To make things worse for LVPI, it will never have in its possession the full FIVB recognition that will give it legitimacy. One only needs to read the FIVB constitution to know that the full FIVB for LVPI will only happen if FIVB Congress approves LVPI's membership application in 2016. Until then, LVPI will remain a non-entity as far as FIVB is concerned.

Despite their long years as sports officials, Joey Romasanta, Tats Suzara, Ricky Palou, Tony Liao and Peping Cojuangco failed to cover all the details that will ensure the smooth sailing of LVPI. I guess political patronage and connections can only do so much amidst international rules and regulations.

FULL FIVB RECOGNITION NG LVPI : WALEY

Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring mapakitang full FIVB recognition ang Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Incorporated (LVPI). Sa kabila ng mga pahayag nito na paparating na ang kanyang full FIVB recognition, nananatiling puro salita lamang na di mapapanghawakan ang mga pahayag ng LVPI.

Sa totoo lang, hinding-hindi maglalabas ng full recognition ang FIVB sa LVPI dahil ito ay isang matinding ebidensiya na maaaring gamitin ng Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) laban sa FIVB mismo. Ang pagpapalabas ng FIVB ng recognition sa LVPI ay malinaw na indikasyon sa anomalyang nagaganap. Maging si Ary Graca ay di maaaring maglabas ng full recognition para sa LVPI.  Tanging ang FIVB Congress lamang ang may kapangyarihan na maglabas ng recognition. At ang FIVB Congress ay magpupulong sa 2016 pa. Nangangahulugan na walang recognition  na maipapalabas ang FIVB hanggang 2016.

Kaya kumain man ng blade o tumulay sa alambre sa harap ng FIVB sina Tats Suzara, Joey Romasanta, Peping Cojuangco, Ricky Palou at Tony Liao, wala silang maaasahang full FIVB recognition. Takot lang ng pamunuan ng FIVB na madawit sa isa pang kontrobersiya. At takot lang ng FIVB na may mga kumamping bansa sa PVF.

LVPI AND POC : IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING

Despite its voluminous press statements, Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Incorporate (LVPI), remains a non-entity.

To this day, LVPI has yet to produce the full FIVB recognition it claims to have received. Its AVC recognition is written in plain bond paper and not on an official AVC letterhead. And incredible as it may seem, LVPI remains unrecognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as the official NSA for volleyball through a general assembly.

What is totally insulting is the way POC and LVPI regard the whole Filipino volleyball community as imbeciles. POC and LVPI think that volleyball fans do not have the mental capacity to find out the truth. But as POC and LVPI are finding out, the volleyball community is way smarter than they think. The community is smart enough to separate the truth from the lies. And the volleyball community refuses to be swayed by the lies that are being fabricated.

FIVB CONGRESS AND ITS FUNCTION

To get a better understanding of who really has the power to admit and expel a national federation
from FIVB, I have decided to post the FIVB Constitution, particularly the role of Congress.

2.3 THE CONGRESS
2.3.1 Composition and quorum
2.3.1.1 The Congress is the supreme authority of the FIVB. It shall meet at least every two
(2) years, in the year of the Summer Olympic Games and in the year of the World
Championships.
2.3.1.2 The Congress is composed of all affiliated NFs which have fulfilled their financial
commitments. Each affiliated NF may be represented by a maximum of two delegates, duly
accredited for that purpose, who shall
a) either be members of the board of the NF or hold an official position in the NF, except as
provided in Article 2.3.1.3;
b) be nationals or permanent residents of the country concerned, except as provided in
Article 2.3.1.3; and
c) not be members of the current or the next FIVB Board of Administration.
2.3.1.3 An affiliated NF may be represented by another affiliated NF’s accredited delegates.
Such accredited delegates cannot represent more than one other affiliated NF.
2.3.1.4 Only those NFs in good standing shall be entitled to attend with the right to vote and
be counted in order to determine if the quorum is reached. The delegates of an NF under
suspension, for any reason whatsoever, may attend the Congress as observers, but the NF
shall not be counted for the purpose of the quorum.
2.3.1.5 The Congress may open if at least one-third (1/3) of NFs with the right to vote, as
established by Article 2.3.1.4, are present or represented except as otherwise stipulated
herein.
2.3.2 Competence
2.3.2.1 The Congress has the sole and exclusive competence to:
a) Amend the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the Congress;
b) Amend the Official Rules of Volleyball (playing and scoring), Beach Volleyball, Park
Volley, and other forms of Volleyball;
c) Adopt the FIVB budget and define its implementation and the financial controls;
d) Define the procedures for affiliation and expulsion of an NF;
e) Decide upon the affiliation and expulsion of an NF;
f) Elect the gender-in-minority members of the Board of Administration, in accordance with
Articles 2.3.6.2 and 2.4 of this Constitution;
g) Elect the President of the FIVB;
h) Decide upon a recommendation submitted to it by the FIVB Ethics Panel.
2.3.2.2 The Congress has the competence to oversee the adoption of the Regulations
derived from this Constitution, the execution of its decisions or the decisions of the other
institutions of the FIVB and, in general, all activities pertaining to the FIVB.
2.3.2.3 The decisions of the Congress are binding on all persons mentioned in article 2.1.2.
When such decisions are not made in conformity with the FIVB Constitution and Regulations,
they may be appealed directly and exclusively before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
2.3.3 Accreditation
2.3.3.1 The Executive Committee shall establish a Credentials Verification Commission
composed of six (6) members: the Commission President who shall be appointed by the
Executive Committee and the five (5) Confederation Presidents. 10
2.3.3.2 The Credentials Verification Commission examines the conditions and requirements
of validity of both the credentials and powers of representation and determines the
acceptability of such documents.
2.3.4 Agenda
2.3.4.1 The President shall prepare the agenda for each Congress, as defined in the Rules of
Procedure of the Congress. In all cases, this agenda shall include, among others, the
following items:
a) Amendments to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure of the Congress as required;
b) Changes in the Official Rules of Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Park Volley, etc. as required;
c) Presentation and approval of the FIVB President’s report;
d) Presentation and approval of the financial report;
e) Presentation and approval of the consolidated biennial accounts for the last two years;
f) Adoption of the budget;
g) Appointment of internal auditors;
h) Election of the gender-in-minority members of the Board of Administration members as
required;
i) Election of the FIVB President, as required.
2.3.4.2 At a Congress, only those items on the agenda may be discussed. Upon proposal of
the President, the Executive Committee or the Board of Administration, items not included on
the agenda may be debated, provided that the Congress agrees to their addition to the
agenda by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the NFs accredited and with a right to vote in the
Congress.
2.3.5 Decisions
2.3.5.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution (see 2.3.4.2, 4.1 and 5.3) or the
Regulations, the decisions of the Congress shall be taken by a majority of the NFs accredited
and with a right to vote in the Congress.
2.3.5.2 Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or unless decided otherwise by the
Congress, the decisions of the Congress shall enter into force three (3) months after the
closing of the Congress.
2.3.6 Election of the President and of the Board of Administration
2.3.6.1 Election of the President
2.3.6.1.1 The President shall be elected by the Congress at its assembly held during the year
of the Summer Olympic Games for a term of eight (8) years and may be re-elected once for
a term of four (4) years. In the event that the President becomes definitely unable to hold
office, Article 2.6.1.3 shall apply.
2.3.6.1.2 The following persons are eligible to become President:
a) the outgoing President;
b) persons elected by their respective Confederations as members of the next FIVB Board of
Administration; and
c) persons elected by the FIVB Congress as gender-in-minority members of the FIVB Board
of Administration.
Candidatures for the position of the President shall be submitted to the FIVB Secretariat
through the respective Confederation no later than six (6) months prior to the opening of the
FIVB Congress. The same applies to the persons mentioned under point (c) above, subject
to their election by the FIVB Congress as members of the FIVB Board of Administration. 11
2.3.6.1.3 All candidates must comply with all prerequisites established in the FIVB
Constitution and FIVB General Regulations. The Confederations must ensure that the
prerequisites are met by the candidates concerned, prior to submission to the FIVB.
2.3.6.1.4 The election of the President shall be held by secret ballot. If there is only one
candidate, the election can be made by acclamation.
2.3.6.2 Election of the Board of Administration
2.3.6.2.1 Subject to the specific provisions for the election of the President (see paragraph d.
below), the members of the Board of Administration shall be elected for a four(4)-year term,
starting immediately after the closure of the Congress held during the year of the Summer
Olympic Games, as follows:
a) the five (5) Confederation Presidents, who will be elected by the General Assembly of
their respective Confederation;
b) twenty-four (24) members, who will be elected by the General Assembly of their
respective Confederation in accordance with the quota provided for in Article 2.4.1.2;
c) two (2) members of the gender in minority in the Board of Administration shall be elected
by the Congress from among candidates submitted by the Confederations. Each
Confederation is entitled to submit to the FIVB Secretariat one (1) candidate for the
gender in minority no later than six (6) months prior to the opening of the FIVB Congress.
Candidates shall come from NFs other than those of the elected FIVB Board members
and must comply with all prerequisites established in the FIVB Constitution and FIVB
General Regulations. Confederations must ensure that such prerequisites are met by the
candidates concerned, prior to their submission to the FIVB Congress. Election of these
members shall be held by secret ballot. If the number of candidates corresponds to the
positions to be filled, the election can be made by acclamation. The members elected
must come from different Confederations;
d) the FIVB President, who shall be elected by the Congress as per Article 2.3.6.1 above.
2.3.6.2.2 Vacancies on the Board of Administration can be filled for the remainder of the term
of office:
a) by the respective Continental Confederation, if a position as per Article 2.3.6.2.1.a and .b
above is vacant; and
b) at any Congress, if a position as per Article 2.3.6.2.1.c above is vacant.
2.3.7 Special Provisions
2.3.7.1 The Congress shall determine the dates and the place of its next assembly or
delegate this authority to the Board of Administration. In any event, the dates and the place
must be communicated in a notice to the affiliated NFs at least eight (8) months in advance
of such Congress.
2.3.7.2 An extraordinary Congress is held pursuant to a decision of the Board of
Administration or at the request of at least thirty (30) NFs including no less than five (5) NFs
from each Confederation.
2.3.7.3 On the recommendation of the Board of Administration, the Congress may grant
honorary titles, corresponding to positions previously held, to persons who have rendered
outstanding services to the FIVB.
2.3.7.4 The Rules of Procedure of the Congress shall be drafted by the Board of
Administration and approved by the Congress. 12

THINGS THAT I REALIZE WITH THE LVPI PRESS CONFERENCE

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Incorporated held a press conference yesterday at Crowne Plaza Hotel.. The presscon was well-attended and even had Mr. Shanrit Wongprasert of Thailand as special guest. But I cannot help but realize several important things with the LVPI press conference.

1. People easily forget. Before a lavish press conference, people forget how the Philippine Olympic Committee illegally took away Philippine Volleyball Federation's recognition and created in its place, LVPI. Volleyball fans seem to forget with great ease that Peping Cojuangco, Joey Romasanta and Tats Suzara disregarded rules and regulations to get what they want.

2. LVPI does not care about volleyball players. Alyssa Valdez, Denden Lazaro, Kaka Santiago and Dindin Santiago are now in a bind as LVPI wants to get their services for Team Pilipinas. The four players are now in a difficult situation where they must choose which team and NSA to play for. They stand to lose so much with a wrong decision.

3. People themselves are to blame for the quality of sports leaders the country has. People always complain how corrupt and inept our sports leaders are. But people refuse to do anything about it. Worse, they support these sports leaders they complain about just to see their sports heroes play. As long as people refuse to make a hard and principled stand, these sports leaders that we complain incessantly about will remain in power for all of eternity.

4. People refuse to look at past accomplishments. POC has not produced  a single well-performing NSA that it has placed under its control. Romasanta, for more than 13 years, has no great accomplishment to speak of as Philippine Karatedo Federation head. So what makes people think that Romasanta will take volleyball to greater heights ? It simply is ridiculous to expect great things from a person that has been mediocre in his past endeavors.

5. People overlook details and are easily distracted. To this day, the FIVB recognition of LVPI is missing. The letter of Mr. Wongprasert to LVPI is written on bond paper. All these indicate the lack of proper and official recognition of LVPI.

Indeed, it is sad to realize that we as a people still lack the maturity in the way we look and approach sports in the country. No wonder our country lags behind in sports even in our region.

PRESS STATEMENT OF PVF PRESIDENT BOY CANTADA

The Philippine Volleyball Federation is the national sports association for volleyball in the Philippines. PVF will continue to be so until such time that 2/3 of the General Assembly would vote in favor of its expulsion from POC.

I strongly challenge POC, Mr. Jose Cojuangco, Mr. Jose Romasanta at lahat pa ng Jose sa POC to present our case for decision to the General Assembly.

But I demand that PVF be invited to the General Assembly, considering that we have not yet been removed by 2/3 of the membership of the GA, to give us the opportunity to present our side.

They say we have a leadership problem. I don't see any. They say that we have a problem with the SEC registration. We have remedied that. So what then is our problem ? Or the better question to ask is, what is the problem of POC ? At ano ang kanilang motibo ?

This fight is not only for the Philippine Volleyball Federation. This is a fight for all national sports associations that are affiliated or beholden to the perceived gods of POC.

Lastly, when I was young, I thought  I will have a good future. I was never afraid of death. Now, I am nearing 70. What is there to be afraid of ? Pinagmamalaki ko po na sa buong buhay ko, pinilit kong makatulong sa kapwa in my own very small way. At wala akong inagrabyado. Nakakatulog ako nang mahimbing. I am ready to go anytime. But if and when I go, I will go with dignity and honor. I wish I could say the same thing for some people.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF STALLION FC ON LEVI FERNANDEZ

"Stallion FC is happy to announce that Levi Gilmàr Di Silvà Fernandez will be joining our club starting April 1 2015. With the help of Jermaine Somuyiwa of F1st Sport and Steve MacCallen of SM Sports, Levi will be playing for Stallion FC while on loan from Alloa Athletic of the Scottish Champions Side, from April 1 to August 2015. He will be wearing jersey number 88. I believe that Levi will fit perfectly with Stallions style of football. He is young, athletic and very talented. He will instantly fit into our system both offensively and defensively.

Gilmàr Fernandez is a 21yr old Football professional, who has been playing for numerous professional clubs since the age of 8. His Grandmother Concepcion Fernandez hails from the province of Victoria Laguna. She will be joining Levi this month to help facilitate his application for a Philippine passport. We are confident that Levi will be joining Simone Rota and Ruben Doctora on the Azkals squad for the world cup qualifiers in June. He possess both world class technical skills, and a very good tactical understanding of the game. Levi will be a great addition to the Stallion roster as we embark on trying to winning the UFL Cup and UFL league in 2015.

Levi will strengthen our squad as a striker or an attacking mid in our 3-4-3 attacking system. We expect great things from Levi, and hopefully we will see more of him in a Stallion and Azkals jersey for years to come. 

Levi will be a very good role model for young Filipino footballers. He has a very interesting story to tell both on the field, as well as off the field.

Levi will be arriving on March 17, and will start training with us in preparation for his April debut.  His early arrival will help him acclimate to our summer weather as well as participate in any Azkals training camps. I am hopeful that Levi will earn a call up to the  MNT.