‘Fil-shams’ fate known in 10 days

The fate of the alleged "Fil-sham" players in the Philippine Basketball Association will be known in 10 days as the Department of Justice assured yesterday ruling on their citizenship cases.

DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the department is responding to calls for speedy resolution of the cases that had been hounding the PBA for years now.

"We will rule on these cases in 10 days to two weeks," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said Sen. Lito Lapid, the new chairman of the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports, appealed that the controversy be settled once and for all.

The DOJ secretary said the pieces of evidence had all been submitted and only court order could stop the DOJ from resolving the issue the soonest time possible.

But in order to avoid further delay, PBA board chairman Buddy Encarnado said the ballclubs agreed to refrain from seeking court order and just respect any decision of the DOJ.

The PBA board of governors also decided to make representation with the DOJ to help resolve the issue immediately.

A foreign player found to have acquired Philippine citizenship through fraudulent means will not be allowed to play although his name will not be automatically dropped from the roster until the completion of his case.

Earlier, Gonzalez designated Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III to be the chairman of a committee that would review the citizenship cases of Asi Taulava, Jon Ordonio, Andy Seigle, Davonn Harp, Rudy Hatfield, Mick Pennisi, Dorian Peña and Alex Crisano.

The DOJ is conducting a review of the cases based on the recommendations of the Senate committee on games, amusement and sports chaired by then Sen. Robert Barbers.