DOJ hands off Taulava case; Coke vs Purefoods

The Department of Justice would have to keep its hands off the case of alleged Fil-sham Asi Taulava because of an injunction issued by a Manila regional trial court.

Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras III said yesterday the DOJ and the Bureau of Immigration would have to stop any proceedings against Taulava to avoid contempt of court.

But Paras said the decision on the other cases may come out next week as most of the Philippine Basketball Association players involved had submitted their position papers. They were Dorian Peña, Andy Seigle, Rudy Hatfield and Alex Crisano.

Paras, head of the committee tasked to resolve the citizenship cases of these players, said they’re still waiting for the position papers of Mick Pennisi, Davonn Harp and William Ordonio.

He said the DOJ had looked into the Senate records of the investigation into their cases and could hopefully come up with a ruling next week.

But there were reports yesterday that the DOJ has made a resolution, recommending recognition of all the Fil-foregners in question as legitimate Filipino citizens.

As regards the officials who may have connived to let the alleged Fil-shams join the league, Paras said they would try to evaluate the evidence on record based also on the Senate investigation and the cases of the players.

Paras said the DOJ would seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to determine if charges could be filed against certain PBA officials or team managers.

The PBA agreed to cooperate with the DOJ to finally resolve the Fil-sham issue that had been hounding the league for a time now.

The DOJ had already affirmed the Philippine citizenship of Ordonio but he was put under evaluation anew.

In a resolution dated May 27, Acting Justice Secretary Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez said the DOJ found no "cogent reason" to overturn its earlier ruling acknowledging the Filipino citizenship of Ordonio.

In the case of Taulava, his lawyers stressed they have sufficient documents to prove the cage star was a legitimate Filipino and urged government agencies to file a case in proper court to end the controversy once and for all.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola and Purefoods take a shot at a share of the early lead with Talk n Text in the Gran Matador PBA Philippine Cup as the Tigers and the Hotdogs collide today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Forget that these two teams are sister teams under the SMC umbrella since Purefoods has an old score to settle with Coca-Cola — the team that eliminated the Hotdogs in the recent Fiesta Conference via a close 94-92 decision in the wild card phase of the elims.

The Hotdogs showed good form in whipping the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 104-87, last Wednesday.

The Kings play the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the day’s other game.