Court rules against PCF

A Makati City Regional Trial Court denied yesterday a petition filed by the Philippine Chess Federation for a temporary restraining order stopping the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-backed team from participating in the forthcoming World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Presiding Judge Ricardo Rosario of Makati RTC Branch 66 rejected the petition, saying he found little merit in the PCF’s stand on the issue.

Rosario noted the PCF, represented by its president, Jess Ingeniero, failed to "clearly establish their right upon which said petitioner has based its claim for injunctive relief."

Rosario added that a TRO is only issued in cases of extreme urgency and when a petitioner was able to show proof that they will suffer irreparable damage if their petition is not granted.

The judge also said he took into consideration that the NCFP, through its leader Grandmaster Eugene Torre, was able to prove that it enjoyed the support and accreditation of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission and even the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The PCF had contested the participation of the NCFP team in the Chess Olympiad which is set to start Friday, claiming it is the country’s sole governing body for the sport.

The PCF filed the petition although five of the six members of the NCFP team, led by Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr., had left for Turkey.

The application for the TRO was also aimed at preventing the PSC from extending financial assistance to the NCFP squad although the government sports body had released funds worth P700,000.

Earlier, Rosario scolded the NCFP players for leaving the country without waiting for a court proceeding and reprimanded the PSC for releasing the fund.

In filing the case, the PCF said the NCFP had "unrightfully disenfranchised the PCF as the sole governing chess body in the country." — With reports from Joey Villar