BI says it has strong evidence versus Asi

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said new evidence showing professional basketball star Paul Asi Taluava has no Filipino blood boosted their efforts to deport the athlete and they now coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The NBI earlier revealed that records from the US Homeland Security service reveal that Taulava’s mother was born in Tonga, refuting claims that she was born in the Philippines until she migrated to the US.

Lawyer Roy Almoro, who is heading the investigation on the so-called Fil-Shams in the country’s basketball league, said while they have long recommended to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the cancellation of Taulava’s certificate of recognition they expect NBI’s newly-acquired proof to help them lift the injunction order issued by a Manila court against the player’s deportation.

The certificate of recognition was issued on the basis that Taulava was allegedly born of a Filipino mother as attested to by municipal registrar in Samar province. A Senate investigation into the Fil-Shams later established that the claim of Filipino lineage for Taulava (among other players) was false.

"You should ask the DOJ why they have not acted on our recommendation," said Almoro. Almoro explained that the injunction order only applies to Taulava’s deportation and not to the cancellation of his certificate of recognition as a Filipino.

"We could later present to the court this new evidence once we started the deportation proceeding of Taulava (after the cancellation is made)," he said.

Almoro said they expect to meet with NBI officials next week.

Meanwhile, it’s still business as usual in Talk n Text’s practice session amid the new controversy

"We don’t mind that wala naman kasi kaming magagawa kung gusto nilang maglabas ng ganyang balita," said Talk n Text team manager Frankie Lim on reports that Taulava’s case has been reopened at the BI.

Taulava has brushed off the latest development on his citizenship case, saying it always crops up every time Talk n Text nears playoff time. "This has going on for years," he said.

"Lumang issue na ito. Pang-apat na report na yata ito of the same issue. Sa iba-ibang dyaryo lang lumalabas," said Lim.

Talk n Text legal counsel Atty. Gary de Jesus, meanwhile, suggested that those questioning the citizenship of Taulava should file a case in court so the player can answer the chargers in the proper forum.— With report from Nelson Beltran