PBA not violating GAB rules — Eala

The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) yesterday warned the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) of severe sanctions for operating in violation of Philippine laws due to the refusal of PBA commissioner Noli Eala to secure a GAB license for himself and for other PBA employees.

But the PBA chief denied the charges, saying the GAB misinterpreted the provision of Presidential Decree 871.

"Perhaps, it is a matter of having a different legal interpretation of PD 871," Eala told The STAR. "We would be happy to obey the GAB rules as required by the law. But based on our understanding of PD 871, it is not the officials of the PBA who run the organization who must secure a license rather the officials who are actually part of the games, like the referees, table officials, scorers, players and coaches."

But GAB chairman Eric Buhain, in his letter to the PBA board of governors last May 19, 2005, warned of sanctions against the PBA if it would continue to operate without complying with the two prerequisites set by PD 871.

The prerequisites, according to the GAB, are for the PBA to have its employees licensed by the GAB and for all the PBA rules and amendments made after Jan. 12, 1998 to be submitted for GAB’s approval before implementation by the PBA.

In its letter, the regulatory body also informed the PBA board that it "shall no longer honor any form of communication…which are signed by unlicensed employees of the PBA, including Eala."

The GAB deadline for the PBA to secure the necessary licenses, including a promoter’s license for the league, and to submit its amended rules actually lapsed last May 26.

Eala also refuted the GAB’s claim that the PBA has not submitted the league’s amended rules, saying the league has already furnished the GAB of the copy of its rules and amendments last March 15.

"We feel that we have been complying with all of the requirements of the GAB. But I just wanted to point out that why all of a sudden there is a different directive on the present commissioner when no PBA commissioner has ever been required to secure a GAB license?" Eala wondered.

PD 871 being an old law, past league officials must have been asked to secure licenses, but records will show that all previous PBA commissioners were not required to secure licenses from the GAB.

"The PBA and myself have not violated any provision (of the law) but we are very much willing to comply with the GAB as long as it is required by the law," he added.

Earlier, the GAB said it will no longer deal with Eala because he is not licensed by the GAB to serve as PBA commissioner.

"We are here to ensure fairness and unbiased application of the rules and regulations submitted and approved by GAB in all professional sports. We encourage you to remain positive in your undertakings for the integrity of professional basketball and the interest of the Filipino people," the GAB said in a statement.