Jaworski calls for inquiry

Saying he’s quite devastated, shocked and frustrated, Sen. Robert Jaworski yesterday vowed to help put an end to the drug menace rocking the Philippine Basketball Association by calling for a Senate inquiry that would look, go and dig deeper into the boiling controversy.

"We must put our act together so we could eradicate this problem or at least minimize it to the lowest level. We must establish a flow chart–where their players get those drugs, from whom and how," the 56-year-old senator told a handful of scribes in one cozy corner of the Hyatt Hotel lobby.

Jaworski, whose long, colorful stint in the PBA remain the envy of many, bared his sentiments on the issue a day after six more players, including one formerly under his wings, tested positive for illegal substance, bringing the total offenders to 10 or nearly 10 percent of the entire field.

"I’m close to shocked, most particularly with the names that came out. But I will file a resolution this afternoon to dig deeper into this. Mas mabigat itong drugs kaysa sa Fil-Am story," said Jaworski, also part of the committee that looked into the "Fil-Shams" issue in the pro league.

Jaworski said the committee will serve a lot of purposes like hearing the sides of the erring players and gather as much information, warning future offenders, establishing a more extensive, fool-proof analysis of what’s getting into the system of the players–supposed to be role models for the youth.

"There is a law that says you cannot incriminate yourself. But in this case, you’re not incriminating but helping yourself. To those who are really involved, you are not only ruining your lives but those of your family and friends. There’s no plus side in drugs. It’s all negative, negative, negative.

"Drugs may enhance your performance today but it may kill you tomorrow. If these findings are correct, then ganoon na nga kalaki ang problema. We must gather the players and I will present to them more than a thousand reasons why you should not try drugs," he said.

Earlier reports pinning Asi Taulava, Dorian Peña, Jimwell Torion, Alex Crisano and Norman Gonzales as alleged drug offenders, according to Jaworski, was quite "alarming." But six others joining the list, including his former player at Ginebra, Noli Locsin, the senator added, is already "devastating."

The other recently found positive of illegal substance were Fil-Am Davonn Harp, Jun Limpot, Long David, Ryan Bernardo and Peña once again.

"Kilala ko ang mga ibang bata diyan. Si Noli, all I can think of this guy is baka sobra sa vitamins at napapalakas ang kain. Hindi ko matanggap. I don’t want to hope that there are flaws in the testing, but I‘m really worried sick about this," Jaworski said.

"That’s why we have to make sure of the testing because on the part of the players that test positive, it’s like a blimp that, I hate to say this, will stay with them for the rest of their lives. There should be no room, for error," he added.