BAP polls set June 7, Literal a no-show?

In compliance with a recent Philippine Olympic Committee resolution, the Basketball Association of the Philippines, through acting president Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat, yesterday announced the holding of a special election on June 7 to determine once and for all the rightful head of the BAP.

Puyat, calling the shots for the BAP after Freddie Jalasco took a leave of absence as president, said the elections will be held at the Manila Bank Penthouse on Ayala Ave. with the 13 regional directors, 11 members of the executive board and five committee chairmen casting their votes for the BAP presidency and chairmanship.

During its general assembly last March 28, the POC ordered the BAP to hold an election not later than June 30 to finally end the leadership dispute between Jalasco and Quintellano "Tiny" Literal, whose claim to power was repeatedly questioned by the other group due to technicalities.

The BAP now under Puyat had originally wanted the holding of regional elections before the presidential but this was turned down by the POC because it would take another six months to accomplish. "We cannot wait that long because we don’t want the POC to be left hanging dry on this issue," said POC chairman Robert Aventajado during the general assembly.

Literal’s group, however, said they would boycott the forthcoming elections despite their previous statements that they have the numbers that will formally oust Jalasco as BAP head come election time. Now, they are raising three points as to why they would boycott the elections.

Graham Lim, in his capacity as secretary-general of the Literal faction, questioned the legality of the notice of elections issued yesterday and signed by Puyat and Nic Jorge. "Why was the notice signed by these two persons whom we don’t even recognize? It should have been signed by Jalasco or myself because I’m also their sec-gen," said Lim.

Lim also questioned the venue of the elections since Puyat holds office in that building, and the article in the BAP constitution and by-laws which states that if a notice of election is issued 30 days before the said date, the lack of quorum cannot stop those present from pushing through with the exercise.

"Pareho kasing pabor sa kanila yon. Unang-una, dapat sa neutral grounds ang election. Pangalawa, they issued the notice of election exactly 30 days ahead so they can push through with it even if we don’t show up," Lim added. But Lim also signed the notice which was issued to them yesterday.

Because of vacancies in the post of directors for regions II, XII and the ARMM, only 13 regional votes will be cast. The members of the executive board are Puyat as chairman, Jalasco as president, Ogie Narvasa as executive vice president, Jaime Dichaves vice-president for Luzon, Cong. Eduardo Gullas for Visayas, Literal for Mindanao, Lim, secretary-general, Christian Tan as treasurer, Tony Fabico as auditor, Turo Valenzona as executive board member and Atty. Brigido Dulay as legal counsel.

The five committee heads are Matias Calizar (referees), Louis Alas (coaches), Atty. Boni Alantajan (juridical), Liberato Valenzuela (accreditator) and Anthony Sulit (mini basketball).