Narvasa fights for procedure, principle as PBA commissioner post in peril

MANILA, Philippines – PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa leaves his fate in the hands of the PBA board of governors.

Narvasa, however, will not go away yet, saying he’ll fight for the proper rules and procedures to be followed.

Being eased out by seven PBA board members but called by five other PBA governors to stay on, Narvasa said he’s staying on until the board resolves a contentious issue in the league by-laws regarding terminating and hiring a PBA commissioner.

“They’re all grown men. They will find a way. I hope that the board talks among themselves, and I want clarified on the matter, not for me, but for the future commissioners of the league,” said Narvasa.

“I know that I’m here only temporarily, but as long as the issue isn’t resolved, I will not abandon the PBA which we all love, all the Filipinos love,” Narvasa also said.

He said he’s heeding the call of his lawyers and the five PBA governors to fight for the procedures.

“I’m willing to resign as I don’t need this. I don’t want enemies and I want the people in the PBA happy. I’m ready to sacrifice. But for principle, then I must stay,” he said.

“The board must be able to determine what’s the right decision, what’s the right process, then come up with the right decision,” he added.

He agrees with the stand of the SMC-led bloc “to fight for the Office of the Commissioner.”

“What if they always bully someone that they don’t like, the Office of the Commissioner will weaken, and it would always be subject to who is the most powerful among team owners,” he said. “I’m fighting that nobody, however powerful they are, can frighten, threaten the Commissioner’s Office. It should be left alone.”