Peace talks on

Reynato Sarmiento, president of the sponsoring Real Bank, called for a settlement of the controversy that rocked the aftermath of the Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix but ruled out talks that the sponsors pay the withholding tax assessed on the chessfest's prize money.

"I've read in the papers a lot of stories of people giving out their opinions. This is not right. We should all sit down and tackle the problem," said Sarmiento yesterday in an exclusive interview with The STAR.

Sarmiento was reacting to reports that an alleged player revolt against the Philippine Chess Federation leadership was abrewing in the face of the 20-percent tax imposed on the tournament's purse with champion GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. hardest hit with his P1 million prize.

Sarmiento, who also heads the Chamber of Thrift Banks which has 119 members, said that he has been calling up all parties involved, particularly Real Bank owner and noted chess patron Jerry Acuzar, PCF president and Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jesus Ingeniero, PCF chairman Arturo A. Borjal and PCF secretary-general Edgar de Castro, to arrange a meeting and settle the issue once and for all.

"I've been trying to call these people to arrange a meeting and agree on something here," said Sarmiento.

He, however, brushed aside talks of Real Bank paying the 20 percent tax, stressing it would only complicate the problem.

"I'm amenable to someone else shouldering the 20 percent tax being deducted to Antonio's P1 million prize, but not Real Bank. If nobody would take care of it, there's nothing Joey could do but accept the prize," Sarmiento said.

"The tax issue here isn't debatable because the PCF's decision to get 20 percent from the winner's earnings is mandated by law and we can't do anything about that, " he added.

This developed as two of the country's top masters strongly denied their involvement in the so-called "rebel group."

"I was really surprised to have read my name among those who call for a revamp in the PCF leadership. I have nothing to do with that group. Kung gusto nila ng gulo, sila na lang at huwag na silang magdamay," said top NM Richard Bitoon.

IM Nelson Mariano II also denied having joined the group which reportedly met last week at the Bayview Plaza to plot the ouster move against the PCF leadership. -