Senate inquiry on Fil-shams resumes

The Senate Committee on Games, Amusements and Sports resumes today its inquiry into the so-called fake Fil-foreign players in the Philippine Basketball Association whom the homegrown talents argue are getting in the way of the young local cagers in their attempt to rise and shine in the PBA.

A total of 25 Fil-foreign cagers are expected to appear before the committee chaired by Sen. Robert Barbers at 10 a.m. to answer questions and clear the air with regard to their alleged fake and questionable documents they had submitted to be able to play in the league.

Committee member Sen. John Osmeña said that the Senate has made big stride in its crusade to rid the country of fake Fil-foreign players plying their trade in the PBA.

"We have made progress," Osmeña told The STAR. "If you will notice in the last PBA rookie draft, there were only eight Fil-foreign players out of the more than 40 drafted who made it to the PBA this year. So it goes to show na nahihirapan na silang makapasok dito."

At the same time, Osmeña made mention of American Paul Woolpert, who replaced another American Bill Bayno as Talk N’ Text coach before the PBA All-Filipino Conference started last season.

"The other thing I’m planning to work on in the near future is the American coach of Talk N’ Text," said Osmeña, referring to Woolpert. "There are labor laws that we should follow. I’m just wondering how Talk N’ Text got an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment that easy. I promise to look into that," he said.

The Cebuano solon, however, explained that their task, which has taken the Senate so much time and effort, is far from over.

"First, you have to prove that they falsified their papers," Osmeña said. "Next is to ask the Department of Justice and other government agencies concerned to cancel the certificates of recognition given to them.

"You also have to consider the passports issued by foreign consulates which also require cancellation. As soon as that is completed, these people can appeal and you have to wait for that also, so it’s really a long, tedious process," he added.

Alvin Patrimonio, who has been in the forefront of the PBA Players’ Union campaign against Fil-shams along with retired Jojo Lastimosa and FedEx’s Jerry Codiñera, has asked the Senate to subpoena those who continue to snub the hearings.

Last month, only Mick Pennisi and Davonn Harp of Batang Red Bull, Dorian Peña and Nick Belasco of San Miguel, Rob Duat and Ali Peek of Alaska Milk and Asi Taulava of Talk N Text showed up, prompting Patrimonio and company to issue a plea.

Others who failed to show up or refused to attend the last hearing were Barangay Ginebra’s Erik Menk and Alex Crisano, Shell’s Chris Jackson, Tony dela Cruz and Michael Hrabak, Purefoods’ Noy Castillo and Andy Seigle, Coca-Cola’s Will Antonio, Jeffrey Cariaso, Rudy Hatfield, Rob Wainwright and Rafi Reavis, San Miguel’s Danny Seigle, Alaska’s Jon Ordonio, Talk N Text’s Kenny Evans and free agents Jay Jay Helterbrand, James Walkvist and David Friedhoff.

Patrimonio, Codiñera and Lastimosa, who once formed one of the greatest triumvirates in the league while playing for Purefoods, all expressed satisfaction of the progress the Senate has been taking.

"Gusto na tapusin ni Sen. Barbers ang hearing. Malapit na at mukhang may limang Fil-Ams na kailangan umuwi," Codiñera said in the Jan. 27 hearing although he did not name names.

It can be recalled that Taulava, Menk, Jackson Walkvist, and Belasco were the players who faced summary deportation proceedings in 1999.

"I’ve told Alvin (Patrimonio) and Jojo (Lastimosa) that the damage has been done so what we can do right now is to make life difficult for other fake Fil-foreign players to play in the country in the future," said Osmeña.