Despite barely warming his seat as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, Frank Lao is taking full responsibility and accountability for the lack of financial support for the national athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games.
In a statement on Monday, Lao issued a humble apology to the Alas Pilipinas Men’s squad, particularly team captain Bryan Bagunas, following his revelations about the severe lack of federation backing heading into the prestigious continental showcase.
Lao, a businessman and chairman of Strong Group Athletics, admitted that when he assumed office last month, he inherited a depleted treasury burdened by roughly P25 million in liabilities and outstanding payables.
Compounding the crisis, financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission remains frozen following the suspension of the PNVF and the withdrawal of support by the International Volleyball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee last June. The developments effectively choked off the allowances of athletes preparing for the Asian Games.
Lao has since begun dipping into his personal resources to settle federation debts, clear unpaid coaching salaries, and cover foreign travel expenses.
Before the Alas Pilipinas Men flew to Nagoya, Lao personally distributed P20,000 in pocket money to each player and shouldered the round-trip airfare of late addition Owa Retamar.
(C) POC Media Group
“As president of the PNVF, I take full accountability for what happened to the allowances of both Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads as well as the beach volleyball teams,” said Lao, who stayed until the wee hours of Monday trying to figure out how to address the financial crisis and stabilize the morale of the athletes competing in the Asian Games.
“After taking over the PNVF in the middle of August, we were left with nothing but more than P25 million in debt. We are now starting to pay all the coaches, settle travel trips, and clear other payables that the federation owes them.”
Lao also inherited a federation whose financial troubles predated his administration.
Former PNVF president Tonyboy Liao, whom Lao replaced, had already begun conducting an internal audit of the federation’s finances before the PNVF was suspended.
Liao also faced delays in the salaries of members of the Alas Pilipinas teams during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December as the federation dealt with the same financial issues.
The PNVF had been mired in leadership disputes long before Lao secured the presidency during the August 10 special elections at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom.
Rather than pointing fingers or making excuses, however, Lao is turning the page and calling on stakeholders to rally behind the athletes.
“Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya na nagkulang kami. Pero bigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na makabawi sa inyo,” Lao said, displaying humility in the face of the administrative and financial problems inherited by his administration.
“Just give me some time po. Sa akin ito bilang presidente ng PNVF. I take this responsibility. Sorry po.”
