Woolpert gets DOLE permit to coach Pals

American coach Paul Woolpert secured a working permit prior to the first game of Talk N Text yesterday officially taking over from Bill Bayno as Phone Pals new mentor.

Department of Labor and Employment regional director Alex Maraan issued the alien employment permit to Woolpert despite a motion from the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines opposing the application of the American coach.

"I just signed and put my thumb print on the papers 20 minutes ago. I hope I can work now, " Woolpert said.

The Star, however, gathered that Talk N Text lawyers got the DOLE clearance before noon much to the surprise of the BCAP legal counsel who practically stood guard at the DOLE office in Intramuros.

"Actually, I was not surprised. Alam namin mahihirapan kami sa DOLE. Gusto nga namin matapos na sa DOLE para makarating na sa Court of Appeals," said BCAP president Chito Narvasa who vowed not to give up the fight yet.

Narvasa questioned the DOLE regional director’s move to issue the clearance despite their opposition. Narvasa said: "Sabi sa amin na-process na raw samantalang Oct. 17 lang nag-apply ang Talk N Text and we filed our motion on Oct. 21."

In his resolution, Maraan said, "We took note of your intention to file an opposition fully assessing the grounds therefore. We’ll act expeditiously and judiciously on your much-awaited opposition and we won’t be constrained to cancel the AEP (alien employment permit) if the merits of your opposition should warrant such action."

"Alam ko mahihirapan kami pero tuloy ang laban," said Narvasa.

Asked to comment on BCAP’s stand, Woolpert said: "I understand them. But I just came here to coach basketball and Talk N Text brought me here to do that." — Nelson Beltran