GM Antonio seeks P-Noy's help to lift ban

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Joey Antonio yesterday said he has written President Aquino to air his grievances following his expulsion as member of the Philippine chess team.

Antonio said he wasn’t given due process and finds the ban imposed on him by National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay too harsh.

‘They’re trying to destroy my career. How am I going to feed my family now?” said Antonio during the PSA Forum where he was joined by his placard-bearing supporters.

“Ibalik si GM Antonio sa RP team (Reinstate him),” one placard said.

Antonio said he sent the letter for President Aquino the other day and hoped that by this time he would have read it. He said if the ban is not lifted, he might file a case against the NCFP.

“I have nowhere to go now,” said Antonio who came under fire from Pichay for opting to play in two international tournaments in the United States than in two major events here in Manila.

“But it was Pichay himself who approved my trip to the US,” said Antonio, who brought with him a copy of a letter, dated Aug. 6, 2010, and signed by the NCFP president endorsing his trip to the Philippine Sports Commission.

The PSC shouldered Antonio’s airfare and allowance but chairman Richie Garcia said he can’t understand now why the NCFP allowed Antonio to leave for the US when he had to play in the Pichay Cup and Campomanes Cup.

“Why did they let him go in the first place?” said Garcia.

Pichay admitted signing the letter of request to the PSC even if the dates of the US tournaments in Fresno, California, and in Michigan (Aug. 19 to 29) collided with the Pichay Cup (Aug. 19 to 26) and Campomanes Cup (Aug. 28 to Sept 3).

Antonio said he was in the US when he learned of the NCFP threat to ban him if he did not show up for the Campomanes Cup. He said he tried to return to Manila, as chance passenger, on Aug. 25 and 26 but failed to book a seat.

The NCFP has already handed the decision banning Antonio. Pichay said he will ask the PSC to drop the GM from its roster, and deprive him of the monthly allowance of P20,000 as an elite athlete.

“We cannot consider his request for reinstatement. Joey was shying away from major tournaments because he doesn’t want his ELO rating to drop. He has always been a problem to the team.

“We need cohesiveness in the team, and not someone who acts like a primadona. This decision to drop him from the team is for the good of the entire team,” added Pichay, a former congressman.

“We have removed him from the RP team, and maybe we can remove him from the roster of the PSC. He is no longer playing for the country.”

Antonio was joined in the forum by his legal counsel, Sammy Estimo, former secretary-general of the NCFP.

“Joey came home to defend himself when he learned that he was banned. He could have opted to stay in the US but he came home. But the NCFP has already closed the door on him,” said Estimo.

The former team captain of the RP team to the Chess Olympiad said Antonio was denied due process, as needed to be followed, when the NCFP leveled the ban without hearing his side.

“I think there’s politics behind this. I feel like I am being singled out. I passed through the proper channels for my US trip. It was Mr. Pichay himself who signed the recommendation to the PSC. Now, why am I being banned for missing the tournaments here,” said Antonio.