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SIXTEENTH CONGRI~SS OF THE ) REI'UBLIC OF TilE pmLIPPINES ) S"coild Regular Session ) :> JAN -'j F' 1 =4 1

SENATE

P.S. Res. No. ___1086_

___~I_nt!,oduced by Senator Anto!1io "Sonny" F. Trilla-"es}V____ ~ ______

RESOLlJTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON GAMES, AMUSEMENT AND SPORTS AND OTHER PERTINENT COMMITTEES OF THE PHILIPPINE SENATE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AIl) OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED MISHANDLING 01" OUR COUNTRY'S SPORTS OFFICIALS OF THE REQ1JEST OF WESLEY SO TO SWITCH FEDERATIONS FROM THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE (NCI"P) TO THE UNITED STATES CHESS FEDERATION (USCF'), AND ON THE DISMAL STATE OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ESPECIALLY IN PROVIDING mGH LEVEL TRAINING TO SUPPORT OUR YOUNG TALENTS, AND TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, PROBLEMS AND/OR ISSUES PERENNIALIN AFFECTING PHILIPPINE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

WHEREAS, last July 2013, Grandmaster Wesley So, the country's highest rated player with an Elo rating of 2774, brought honor and distinction to the country by winning the gold medal in the Men's Chess competitions of the 27'h Summer (World University Games) at the Kazan Equestrian complex in Kazan; WHEREAS, GM So recently ruled the 2014 Open in Las Vegas, Nevada and is set to move up to No. lOin the player rankings of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) after his strong performance in the tournament; WHEREAS, GM So dreams of becoming the world champion in a more chess-friendly environment which will allow him to have a greater chance to improve and compete in top tournaments hence pushing him to apply to switch federations, from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) to the United States Chess Federation (USCF)'; WHEREAS, some factors which prompted GM So to arrive at this decision, include the lack of serious training system in the Philippines and the difficulty of flying to the Philippines to compete in events such as the South East Asian Games, which conflicts with his studies at Webster University in the USA; WHEREAS, further, GM So said that he experienced a backlash from the NCFP when he competed in the World University Games instead of the 2013 Asian Indoor Games, and was denied recognition by the NFCP despite winning the tlrst ever gold medal for the Philippines; WHEREAS, last year, in a letter addressed to NFCP President Prospero Pichay, Jr, GM So . expressed his desire to represent the Philippines one last time at the Norway Olympiad if the NCFP consents for him to switch federation immediately after the Olympiad, but failed to receive any response from the organization;

I 'USeF: Wesley So Will Dc Our Coach In Tromso OlympIad'. InformatIOn retneved from http://www.jo(lrnal.com.ph/sports/other­ sportsJuscf-wesley-so-wlll-be-our-coach-in-tromso-olymplad on 07/06/14 1 WlffiREAS, the NCFP President and the PSC Chairman both denied their responsibility for alleged attempts to hinder the said transfer request, with NCFP President Pichay stating that the he cannot release GM So, otherwise, PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia will consequently cut off 2 $500,000.00 in funding to the NCFp ; WHEREAS, while the PSC Chairman denied the said budget cut, the PSC, nonetheless suspended the benefits, including the 1'40,000.00 monthly allowance and financial support GM So received under the Philippine government's priority athletes program, after he wrote to the 3 NCFp ,. WHEREAS, under the rules of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), a player can transfer federations if his federation allows him or if he pays a fee of 50,000 euros (2,962,454 Philippine pesos); however, if his federation does not allow him to transfer, he will not be able to compete in any FIDE rated tournament for two years;

WHER1~AS, while awaiting communication from the Philippines' national federation, GM So 4 already missed several big events , and on July 3, 20]4, or more than a month after the deadline, GM So received an email from the NCFP Secretariat informing him that he was included in the line-up of the Philippine Team competing in Tromso, Norway, such that the decision was made without consultation, and made at a time when GM So was already contracted to coach the US 5 Team ; WHEREAS, last October, the International Chess Federation (FlDE) finally confirmed the transfer of GM So from the NCFP to the USCF through FIDE Titles/Transfers officer Irina Adyanova; WHEREAS, in the light of all the foregoing, there appears to be a mishandling, deliherate or otherwise, by our very own sports officials of the request of GM So to transfer federations; WHEREAS, further, albeit there is no shortage of talent, perseverance, dedication, and competitive spirit among Filipino athletes, GM So's aforediscussed predicament is reminiscent of the dismal state of sports development in the country, especially in providing high level training to support our young talents; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as it is hereby resolved by the Philippine Senate to direct the Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports and other pertinent committees ofthe Philippine Senate to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, of the alleged mishandling by our country's sports officials of the request of Grandmaster Wesley So to switch federations from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) to the United States Chess Federation (USCF); and on the dismal state of sports development in the country, especially in providing high level training to support our young talents, and to address the concerns, problems and/or issues perennially affecting Philippine sports development.

Adopted,

,. ( '" "'1'-- AN' 0 10 "S -.r0JlNNY" F TRI LANES IV ~~ Senator

2 'PSC claims it Isn't hindering Wesley So's US Tl'ansfer'. InformatIOn retrieved from http://www.rappier.com/sportsjby-sportjothcl.. sports/66166-psc-wesJey-so-transfer-chess on 08/14/14 3 Ibid. 4 'USCF: Wesley So Will Be Our Coach In Tromso Olympiad'. lnfonmllloll retrieved from http://www.Journa!.com.phjsportsjothcr­ sportsjuscf-wes!ey-so-will-he-our-coach-ln-tromso-olymplC!dOll 07/06/14 5 Ibid. 2