Official questions report, quits

Former Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas yesterday resigned as co-chair of the internal affairs committee of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, claiming he didn’t submit any report recommending the suspension of six players for their involvement in the game-fixing scandal.

Molintas said his resignation, which he had already sent to NCFP president Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. of Surigao, is irrevocable.

"I deeply appreciate your gesture in appointing me to said position but I felt I could no longer effectively perform my duties due to intervening events beyond my control," said Molintas in the letter.

Saying it acted on the recommendation of the three-man fact-finding body, the NCFP on Wednesday banned International Master Ronald Dableo for one year while suspending IMs Chito Garma and Darwin Laylo, Oliver Barbosa, Merben Roque and Enerose Magno for six months.

"Acting on the recommendation of the internal affairs committee headed by former Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas, the NCFP resolved to suspend all the six players starting Feb. 27," said NCFP spokesman and secretary-general Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Lawyer Edmundo Legaspi was co-chair while veteran journalist Manny Benitez was the other member of the committee tasked to investigate the case and submit a recommendation to the board.

But it now appeared that the NCFP bypassed the committee’s findings and decided to suspend the players.

"Further, I would like to inform you that I have not submitted any report on the alleged game-fixing but apparently, I was pre-empted when I read in newspapers that the basis of the board in suspending some players was the report I allegedly submitted," Molintas said.

"I don’t know, however, if the two other members of the committee had submitted a report, but definitely, I was not a part thereof," he added.

All players accused have appealed the case.

Some, however, are contemplating bringing the case to the court.

"We’re saddened by their decision to suspend us," said one player.