Politics and the softball team of Bacolod-Negros

 Only the timely intervention by the Philippine Sports Commission aborted a potentially humiliating debacle for the Bacolod-Negros softball team in Guanzhou, China, where they have been showing their prowess against various teams in the Asia-Pacific tourney there.

Last weekend, the PSC sent the P450,000 registration fee to the organizers of the tournament through Fr. Max Rendon of Adamson University. It was reportedly a form of a loan that will be reimbursed upon release of the financial assistance promised by the Bacolod City government to the team.

But there was an ugly sequel to it. Several local officials reportedly washed their hands off it. They reportedly promised the teams their financial support but that did not mean that the city was obligated to give them the amount.

Well, it seems that Rep. Monico Puentevella (Bacolod City) and his rivalry with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia may have something to do with the pussyfooting by the city government on the promised aid.

Bacolod City reportedly washed its hands off after the PSC had paid the registration to save the country from international embarrassment.

But that the registration fee problem was solved does not mean that it ended the woes of the players and the teams. Both teams are supposed to leave by July 13, but BANEG is reportedly booked to leave July 15. In which case, as pointed out by Negros Daily Bulletin’s sports editor Cyrus Garde, they will have to pay $50 per day extension of their stay beyond July 14.

BANEG, Garde said, is already assured to win the Big League, Senior League, Junior League and major leagues because of their exemplary performances.

C’est la vie.

Double whammy

Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico, leader of the local opposition, has unleashed a serious broadside against President Arroyo, calling her recent visit to Iloilo post her arrival from the United States as only intended for pogi points and a hello-and-goodbye affair.

Those were the same criticisms I heard from some Iloilo politicos who were disappointed that the President confined herself to the new Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan and left immediately thereafter.

The President, Suplico pointed out, did not show genuine concern for the victims of typhoon Frank by releasing funds for the rehabilitation of the typhoon victims.

But then Suplico himself suffered a double loss when the Department of Budget and Management ruled as non-operative in its entirety the first Appropriations Ordinance No. 2008-01 and declared the second appropriation ordinance “inoperative in its entirety,” too.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said the subsequent enactment cannot remedy the deficiency of the first with its failure to provide for the statutory obligations like loan amortization payments and the 20 percent Internal Revenue Allotment development fund.

Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas, Suplico’s estranged uncle, welcomed Andaya’s ruling as upholding that he was right and Suplico wrong.

He considered the Andaya ruling as a double victory. He also cited the “dark intentions” of Suplico and his allies against him. Tupas said it was provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada who had challenged Suplico to resign as chairman of the commitee on appropriations for his “display of ignorance and incompetence.”

Mejorada earlier had challenged Suplico to resign as vice governor if the DBM overturned the validity of the two ordinances.

Well, that’s how politics continue to dominate the airwaves despite the ongoing effort to rehabilitate Panay provinces from the devastating visit of typhoon Frank.

ADDENDA. Ilonggos are waiting for Rep. Arthur Defensor Sr. to file a supplemental budget for P10 billion for the rehabilitation of Panay Island. That actually was originally proposed by former Senate President Franklin Drilon during last week’s Reklamo’t Publico program in Iloilo City. Drilon noted that Congress passed the rehabilitation fund for Bicol in three months, but pointed out that the one for Panay should be able to hurdle both houses in one month. This is one idea where opposing political camps seem to have reached an agreement. Even Bacolod City officials seem to have been touched by the appeal of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas to help the devastated city. The city has opened a website that seems to have roused responses from overseas to the plight of Iloilo City and its citizens. So far, 25 countries have responded to the appeal. Treñas said various organizations worldwide have already inquired from his office on how they can help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts for Iloilo City. The city government has an account fund with the Land Bank of the Philippines’ Iznart Branch with account number 0032-1450-78. It also had a swift code TLBPPHMMA XXX and routing number 080350013 for international donors. They can e-mail their donations via [email protected].