Boxing judge sues GAB-7 exec for refusal to renewal his license

CEBU, Philippines — An international professional boxing judge and fight supervisor has filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against the officer-in-charge of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) in Central Visayas.

Boxing judge Arnulfo Najera has accused GAB-7 OIC Jimmy Donton of usurpation of official functions under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, violation of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and conduct unbecoming of a public official.

The complaint stemmed from Donton’s alleged refusal to accept Najera and another boxing judge’s application for renewal of license.

According to Najera, he and fellow boxing judge Edgardo Olalo met on February 15, 2022, to secure the signature of Dr. Jose Unabia and other requirements, including a drug test and optical eye refraction examination, needed to renew their licenses as boxing judges.

Najera said he asked Olalo to bring his application and requirements to the GAB-7 office, a practice that has been acceptable in the past for those who cannot personally submit their documents.

However, Najera was surprised to receive a call from Olalo that their applications have been denied by Donton without any explanation. Donton reportedly told Olalo that Najera had many issues without elaborating.

Donton allegedly added that their license was a mere “privilege and not a right.”

Najera said he tried to reach out to GAB chairman Abraham Mitra to report the incident but to no avail, prompting him to seek redress before the anti-graft office.

Najera claimed that Donton’s refusal to renew his license as boxing judge has caused him undue injury.

“Injury comes in the form of having lost my status as an international boxing judge and that I cannot recoup what I have invested to pay for my membership in the international boxing sanctioning bodies and the cost in attending boxing conventions held outside of the Philippines,” said Najera.

Najera had been a licensed boxing judge since 2012 and had been granted renewal in the past allegedly due to his good standing with the office and the boxing community itself.

Donton refused to comment saying he was not aware of such complaints. — FPL (FREEMAN)