GAB acts to lift Japan ban

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eduardo Villanueva isn’t sleeping on the job. It may seem like he is because Villanueva prefers to work quietly, without fanfare. And he doesn’t like making mistakes. Villanueva spends more time than usual deciding on issues to think things over carefully and consult his advisers.

But if haste makes waste, taking too long to make decisions could lead to obsolescence. Remember the adage – justice delayed is justice denied.

Take the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) ban of Filipinos fighting in Japan except in Oriental or world title bouts. It’s been over a year since the ban was imposed and Filipino fighters were deprived of earning good money in Japan. Villanueva took over from Dominador Cepeda as GAB chairman about six months ago – inheriting the problem of convincing the JBC to lift the ban.

Last December, Villanueva spoke to JBC executive secretary Shigeru Kojima on what steps the GAB could take to curb the incidence of Filipino fighters overstaying in Japan as illegal aliens during the World Boxing Council (WBC) convention in Pattaya. Despite the cordial nature of the talks, the ban remained. Apparently, the JBC looked to be convinced not just by lip service.

Two months later, I reminded the GAB about the ban in this column and suggested some measures for the GAB to consider in drafting a proposal to the JBC.

More than any other Asian country, Japan has the resources to stage big-money fight on a regular basis. It’s no secret that a lot of Filipino champions got their breaks fighting in Japan. The late Flash Elorde is a prime example. But it’s not only about money and breaks. It’s also about pride. The ban is a slap on the face of Philippine boxing. It’s an indictment of the Filipino fighter’s lack of integrity and sense of values. It’s like the Filipino can’t be trusted, that this word of honor is worthless.

A few days after the reminder, GAB boxing chief Noli Flores showed me a copy of a draft which incorporated some of my suggestions. Finally, the wheels started to turn.

Then, a day before the Gerry Peñalosa-Joel Avila fight two weekends ago, I heard comments from the boxing fraternity that the GAB hadn’t done anything to try to lift the JBC ban since the WBC convention. But I found out later that Villanueva had in fact done something.

As for Villanueva’s failure to attend the Peñalosa-Avila weigh-in, Flores said he was locked up in a closed-door session with Philippine Basketball League (PBL) commissioner Chino Trinidad and couldn’t excuse himself from the discussions even for a minute. Flores said there was urgency in the meeting as the PBL’s fate hung in the balance with a pending proposal to change its status from amateur to professional.

Last March 4, Villanueva faxed to Kojima a proposed circular detailing the guidelines on "the prevention of visa violations by GAB-licensed boxers, managers, trainers and seconds traveling abroad, especially in Japan, in connection with foreign boxing promotions." Villanueva asked for Kojima’s comments and said that once finalized, the circular will be disseminated to all concerted parties.

"We hope this arrangement will solve the problem on visa violation and pave the way to the formal lifting of the existing ban," said Villanueva.

As of yesterday, Kojima had not responded to Villanueva’s fax.

Among the guidelines are:

A fighter traveling to Japan must have won at least once in his last three bouts and must be rated by the GAB. Fighters and their traveling companions must be holders of GAB licenses for at least two years, must be accompanied by a GAB representative to the appropriate Embassy in applying for visas, and must provide the GAB with pertinent information to enable police authorities to immediately establish reference points in the event of a visa violation.

A cash bond equivalent to 1/4 of a traveling boxer’s purse for a fight abroad or a suitable amount will be deposited with the GAB before departure and refunded upon return of the entire entourage. Failure of a fighter or his companions to return will constitute sufficient justification to impose penalties, including the revocation of his GAB license and forfeiture of the bond. A visa violator will be recommended for inclusion in the hold-departure order of the Bureau of Immigration and revocation of his passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

A traveling fighter and his companions must sign a GAB release form in person upon returning to the Philippines. Failure to sign the form will mean the cancellation of his GAB license and forfeiture of the bond.

In the event a traveling fighter or his companions overstays abroad, the GAB will cooperate with the host boxing agency in trying to track down the TNT. It is understood that a TNT will be the object of a manhunt and subject to arrest.

Of course, there is no way a would-be TNT can be stopped from overstaying if he wants to. But at least, the GAB guidelines make it difficult for a TNT to survive without getting apprehended and to continue his boxing profession. The JBC should appreciate the GAB’s efforts in curtailing the incidence of TNTs – it’s the best the GAB can do.