Lapses raised in granting Filipino IDs

"Leave the country and leave us alone."

This was the stern warning issued by Sen. John Osmeña yesterday at the resumption of the Senate hearing on the alleged presence of fake Fil-foreign players who, in the eyes of many, are denying homegrown talents a bigger piece of the cake in the Philippine Basketball Association.

"We will be very vigilant that nobody gets through," said the Cebuano lawmaker at the close of the two-hour session where possible lapses on the issuance of Filipino identification cards, and the holding of summary deportation proceedings against the erring Fil-foreign cagers were raised.

Under the law, Fil-foreign players who wish to play in the country are asked to secure their Filipino IDs from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) then will have to seek affirmation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before they are given the green light. The absence of any of these two requirements means a no go.

During the hearing by the committee on games, amusements and sports chaired by Sen. Robert Barbers, representatives of the BID, DOJ and Department of Labor and Employment took the floor and answered questions raised by the senators. The PBA did not send a representative.

Barbers said the hearing will resume in January and ordered the BID officials to bring with them all the hearing officers that granted the IDs to the foreign-bred players then also ordered the PBA to submit a complete list of player agents and managers they recognize plus a list of players joining its Jan. 12 amateur draft.

The senator also ordered all 10 teams to furnish the committee copies of the contracts of their Fil-foreign players.

The players who were on the official list of guests in yesterday’s hearing were James Wallkvist and Eric Menk of Ginebra, Noy Castillo and Andy Seigle of Purefoods, David Friedhoff of FedEx, Kenny Evans, Alex Crisano and Asi Taulava of Talk N Text, and Chris Jackson, Robert Wainwright, Michael Hrabak and Tony dela Cruz of Shell.

The others who are still part of the ongoing investigation are William Antonio, Rafi Reavis, Jeffrey Cariaso and Rudy Hatfield of Coca-Cola, Davon Harp and Mick Pennisi of Red Bull, Robert Duat and Ali Peek of Alaska, Danny Seigle, Nick Belasco and Dorian Pena of San Miguel, Jayjay Helterbrand of Ginebra and John Ordonio of Alaska.

Reports that came out last week saying Menk and 10 others were already off the hook were quite inaccurate since Barbers took particular mention of the Ginebra forward in yesterday’s hearing where homegrown PBA talents led by Jojo Lastimosa and four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio outnumbered their foreign-bred counterparts, some of whom have already left the country for the Christmas break.

"If they have not complied with the mandatory requirements then it is a complete disregard of our laws. And if that’s the case, the BID should take action against these people. They are making a mockery of our justice system. Either it’s the lack of affirmation of the DOJ or the absence of a Filipino ID, this in itself is ground for summary deportation proceedings," said Barbers, a former police officer.

In the case of Menk, Barbers found a big discrepancy in his DOJ affirmation with his mother submitting two different affidavits of citizenship, one stating that her place of birth was in Panaliga, Samar, and the other in Lawaan, Samar.

"These are very notable material discrepancies which we would like to dig deeper. That’s why we are now asking not only the date of birth and place of birth of their parents but also their grandparents. These are conflicting affidavits on one single matter. Don’t tell me that her mother forgot the place where she was born. Don’t tell me you and I (will ever) forget kung saan ka ipinanganak," said Barbers, who also mentioned the case of Wallkvist, who’s been playing in the PBA for four years now with no Filipino ID to show.

"It’s easy to claim a citizenship if these papers are not properly scrutinized. I mean, just by looking at a person applying for Filipino citizenship and you see that this person has blue eyes, dapat siguro may doubt na agad. We want a thorough investigation before a certification is given," said Lastimosa.

Osmeña then assured the Alaska skipper that he will continue to dig deeper on the case and assured Filipino homegrown players that no "fake" Fil-foreigners will get a seat in the PBA draft next year.

"I’d like to assure the PBA players association that no new Fil-Ams will stand up to be drafted. But we will observe due process. And this process will be very tedious. I’m working on this alone but I have two people on the provinces digging up on this one guy. I’d like to make him an example. Matindi ang trabaho," he said.

"Sa January na ulit. Pahinga muna tayo. Pero kumukulo na," said Barbers on his way out of the session hall.