Now it's Veguillas vs Veguillas

The controversy in the Philippine Karatedo Federation has become a Veguillas vs Veguillas affair.

In a move that shocked sports leaders and boosted the plight of resigned national karatekas, Joey Veguillas, brother of incumbent PKF president Pocholo, tendered his resignation yesterday as vice president of the association.

Earlier, Joey's son, Paulo Nicolas Veguillas, resigned as member of the RP team, joining younger brother Juan Salvador (Buddy) Veguillas who resigned after the 1998 Asian Games.

The resignation provided the latest twist in the current move by the karatekas demanding immediate reforms, including election of a new set of officers and top-to-bottom revamp of the organization.

In his resignation, which took effect Wednesday, Joey Veguillas cited the one-man rule in the PKF, unauthorized use of PKF resources and equipment from the Philippine Sports Commission by the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK), of which Pocholo is president, and the lack of transparency on financial matters.

Earlier, Salvador Veguillas, another brother of the PKF president, threw his support to the protesting 12 national karatekas, which, his critics said, would increase as they mount their campaign for Veguillas' resignation.

In other developments:

* Former POC president Cristy Ramos, the PKF honorary president,who attended yesterday's preliminary inquiry of the POC investigation committee, said the POC committee has no jurisdiction over the case because it is an internal affair.

* National karatekas expressed surprise during the hearing when informed of requisitions received by the PKF from the PSC during the last 10 years but which were not received by karatekas.

* PSC chair Carlos Tuason assured the karatekas that he would provide a training venue and keep them on the payroll while the case is being resolved.