Readers speak out on Fil-Shams

We are deluged by letters from readers reacting to the Senate’s continuing investigation on so-called Fil-Shams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

With the PBA’s 29th season opening this Sunday, fans are wondering where the hearings will lead to. Players are being summoned to appear before the senators. There is talk that they will be required to present their Filipino parents for interrogation and scrutiny, as in head to foot.

Ah, but didn’t Asi Taulava bring in his mother Pauline a few years ago? And what was the Bureau of Immigration’s verdict? She didn’t look Filipina because she was too tall. With that kind of reasoning, it’s no wonder we’re still in limbo as to how to attack the Fil-Sham problem.

Anyway, let’s listen to what our readers say about this evolving telenovela.

Danny M of [email protected] writes:

"This Senate probe regarding Fil-Ams is really making me sick. It is a mockery of our laws, totally a complete opposite of their accusations that these Fil-Ams have been playing with falsified documents that are making a mockery of our laws.

"These guys were grilled before by the same people, presented their mothers or Filipino parent, fixed their papers, obtained citizenship, lived in the country for years now, and are still being grilled.

"Why can’t they just let them be? I hope after this probe, when they find that they have legit papers, that they let this issue rest once and for all. They are showing discrimination and utter disrespect for foreigners whose only crime is getting better treatment than their local counterparts.

"And regarding naturalized Filipinos playing as locals, the only ones standing in their way is the PBA itself. I think it’s about time that the PBA amends its ruling. This ruling has been there for years and it has worked. But now the times are a changing and the whole league is now geared towards globalization. Let me point out the ruling the PBA has that’s keeping or has kept away guys like Alex Compton, Norman Black, Bobby Parks and Sean Chambers from playing in the PBA as locals–they must have at least one Filipino parent or Filipino blood.

"Let me point out that our Constitution allows naturalized Filipinos to be employed in the country, so why can’t they play in the PBA? Is this not discrimination?

"Going back to the Senate probe, I think it needs to be stopped. As a taxpayer, I don’t need to waste my precious tax money on it. So let the Fil-Ams be. And let the naturalized Filipinos enjoy the same rights as any homegrown player. I am not being unpatriotic. It’s just that we have to start thinking. Our country needs to keep up with the rest of the world.

We need to do away with our crab mentality and really go out there and start thriving."

Dhel Cruz of Tandang Sora, Quezon City, checks in:

"I have nothing against investigations on the Fil-Shams. In fact, I support weeding out the Fil-Ams masquerading as Filipinos. They should not be playing and enjoying the good life in a game only a privileged few Filipinos are qualified (biro nga ng iba, we are not a race of Legolas and Arragorns but of Frodo, the hobbit as quoted in the Lord of the Rings).

"However, it is also very unfortunate that investigations seem to be becoming a pastime. I could not recall how many times investigations on Fil-Shams have been done and yet, here we have another investigation to weed out Fil-Shams. I hope the ongoing investigations will once and for all clean this mess up. It is very unfair to the local players as well as to those true Fil-fors playing their hearts out in the PBA.

"I just wonder if we were able to get the gold in the last Asian Games, will we still have the fervor to weed out the Fil-Shams? Get on with the investigation and let’s just play ball."

From Ryan A of California:

"Sen. Barbers could be alienating himself from some fans of alleged Fil-Shams. But what he is doing is good for the PBA. Commissioner Eala should fully support Sen. Barbers so that the PBA could regain some lost credibility and put this matter to rest once and for all.

"The Senate hearings should result in stricter guidelines that the PBA should adopt. Severe penalties should be assessed the violators–both players and their agents."

From Ray Uy of [email protected]:

"I’m Ray Anthony Uy, 19, from Quezon City. A student at EACIT. I’m one of your avid fans. I always read your column in The Philippine Star. I’m also a very avid fan of basketball. I really look up to you as a very good role model and a damn good broadcaster. You’re the best of them all.

Especially, basketball-wise. A lot has changed in Philippine basketball since I first watched it live in 1989. I was about six then. Before there were only two Fil-Ams. Now almost one fourth are Fil-Ams. Before players play because they love the game. Now they play because the pay is good. I hope the PBA can bring back its glory days. The PBA is part of my life and I grew up loving it. More power to you and God bless."

Tell us what you think of Fil-Shams and Fil-Ams.