FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) OF THE 1 8 SEP 30 i’3.114 Second Regular Session 1

P. S. R. No.sENA&% 1

Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago ,

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE PROPER SENATE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN DJQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED DEPLORABLE STATE OF PHILIPPINE BILLIARDS

WHEREAS, the Constitution, Article 14, Section 19, paragraph 1, provide, “The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry”;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, in an article entitled “Billiards Woes”, dated 22 September 2008, claimed that there is something seriously wrong in the Philippine billiards scene;

WHEREAS, it was reported that “After the formation of the Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) early last February, many of the country’s most outstanding billiards players like former world champions Ronnie Alcano, and Efren “Bata” Reyes and world No. 1 Dennis Orcullo, will not be taking part in this year’s inaugural World 10-Ball Championship;

WHEREAS, it was reported that those competing in the $400,000 10-ball event, which stakes a fat paycheck of $100,000 for the champion, are reigning world 9-ball champion of Britain, Chinese-’s Wu Chia-ching, of Germany and of the United States, while spearheading the Philippine campaign are former Asian titlist Marlon Manalo, Doha Asian Games gold medalist Antonio Gabica and rising star Jeffrey de Luna;

WHEREAS, the article alleged that the Philippines’ top players are not participating because they are very unhappy with the way their sport is being handled by billiards officials. They also have allegedly renounced their membership with the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines (BSCP) and allegedly vowed not to take part in all events organized and promoted by Raya Sports’ Yen Macabenta, who is also BSCP chair;

WHEREAS, it was also reported that the main reasons why the BMPAP bolted the BSCP is the latter’s alleged abuse of power and lack of respect for BMPAP name players, notably Pagulayan and Alcano and the alleged refusal of Macabenta’s group to publicly account for the millions he had received from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in staging the 2006 and 2007 World Championship;

WHEREAS, in the case of Pagulayan, the former world champ was reportedly suspended from the Guinness Asian 9-Ball Tour without just cause, prompting Pagulayan to file a libel case against Macabenta and BSCP President Ernest0 Fajardo; WHEREAS, another former world champion Alcano was allegedly similarly treated with disrespect when he was driven away from a qualifying tournament of the Guinness Asian 9-Ball Tour, together with Warren Kiamko and Lee Van Corteza, also both veteran internationalists;

WHEREAS, these reports, if true, reflect the sad and sorry state of Filipino billiards, a sport where the Philippines has gained international respect and recognition, largely because of these former world champions and world-ranked players;

WHEREAS, these allegations should be investigated and corrected, not only in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, but also to allow Philippine billiards to reclaim its righthl place as the fountainhead of the finest cue artists in the world today;

WHEREFORE, be it hereby resolved by the Philippine Senate to direct the proper Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, on the alleged deplorable state of Philippine billiards.

Adopted,

/cdr

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