Antonio blasts NCFP official on five masters’ stint

Grandmaster Joey Antonio did not take part in last week’s RP Blitz event because he was not allowed to join at the last minute by National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Bobby Ang.

"Ang totoo, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi na kami pinayagan ni Eugene (GM Torre) na sumali nung nagdesisyon na ulit kami na sumali."

The row started when NCFP official Bobby Ang, upon consulting with the group’s board of directors in an emergency meeting called before the event, allowed Richard Bitoon, Rolly Martinez, Petronio Roca, Enrique Paciencia and eventual tournament champion Jayson Gonzales to participate.

The five were members of the team sent by the Philippine Chess Federation, NCFP’s predecessor, to the World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey last year.

Antonio claimed that Ang’s decision was contrary to the board of directors' agreement a month back that the five should first be screened before they are allowed to join NCFP-sanctioned events.

Antonio said he was surprised that Ang did not inform him and fellow NCFP officials — Torre and vice president GM Buenaventura Villamayor — about their participation.

"At least out of respect, sana naman sinabihan muna kaming mga officials na papasalihin na itong lima," said Antonio.

Antonio did not like Ang’s statement that the P60,000 pot money came directly from his pockets — which gave him the authority to decide whatever he wanted. — Joey Villar