The Games and Amusements Board has raised concerns about the planned start of amateur league Filbasket on October 28 at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.
Filbasket is a league that classifies itself as amateur in status but pays salary to its participants. And according to GAB, it did not go through the Philippine Sports Commission, which handles athletes that are classified as amateurs. Neither did Filbasket apply for a pro license even if its players are paid to play.
“Based on the Joint Administrative Order (no. 2020-0001), hindi sila allowed,” said GAB legal division head Atty. Omar Benitez.
“There’s no approval from GAB. There’s no approval from PSC.”
Last Thursday, the upstart league, after much delays, announced that it has secured clearance from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Regional Task Force 3 to conduct the tournament that has 11 teams competing.
According to the JAO, however, all pro sports activities are under the jurisdiction of GAB; meanwhile, all non-professional sports and activities are under the jurisdiction of the PSC.
Early this year, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and the Philippine Superliga were able to conduct tournaments despite not being under GAB through a Department of Health circular which serves as the “Guidance on the Conduct of Health-Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports under the Bubble Set-up during COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Under this setup, “the LGU where the sports bubble is conducted, or the sponsoring NGA shall take full accountability in monitoring and oversight of the sports bubble and the management of possible COVID-19 outbreak following the sports bubble/event” and “the Regional Interagency Task Force (RIATF) has approved the conduct of the proposed sports bubble in keeping with IATF Resolution No. 79.”
Still, the PSC must be notified of it taking place since they classified themselves as “amateur” leagues. The PSC though has forwarded Filbasket to the Department of Health months ago, saying that the league is not under their jurisdiction.
“Assuming na inallow sila ng IATF sa local, meron pa rin silang sagutin because yung sporting aspect is not covered,” wondered Atty. Benitez. “Sino ang magre-regulate?
“Hindi lang from the aspect of sports regulation but also from the health and safety. Inappoint ang GAB, PSC, and DOH because yan ang mga agencies na may expertise.”
In the worst case, GAB may issue a cease and desist order against Filbasket if it decides to push through just like it did years before to the Premier Volleyball League and a billiards tournament that pays its participants.
“Specific to Filbasket, GAB will avail of its available remedies. Before, we detected a billiards tournament before. Nag-issue kami ng cease and desist order to stop it. That was many, many years ago. That’s the extreme that can happen. In a hypothetical situation, we can enforce it,” cited Atty. Benitez.
“Kulang na lang siguro sa communication. Baka kailangan pa ng konting talakayan para ilatag ang rules sa kanila at gagawin natin iyon,” Benitez continued.
“At the end of the day, kung hindi pa rin makikipagtulungan ang Filbasket, tingnan natin kung anong legal na aksyon ang gagawin ng GAB tungkol dito. We want to sort this out internally with the IATF and then will let you know.”
