THE papers came out with a story just the other day about two former volleyball officials allegedly embezzling (read: stealing) some P6.4 million in association funds.
Ramon “Tats” Suzara and Donaldo Jose Caringal, the former president and treasurer, respectively, of the Philippine Superliga, are facing a case of qualified theft filed by incumbent PSL President Adrian Paolo Laurel.
In the complaint before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office, an excerpt of the 11-page brief read: “Since both respondents [Suzara and Caringal]…withdrew directly from the account of the corporation [PSL] without any valid authority, each of them abused [their] relationship with the [PSL].”
According to the Inquirer’s Marlon Ramos, the Department of Justice was furnished a copy of the complaint, which also read, in part: “They [Suzara and Caringal] abused the high degree of confidence given to them through their positions in the corporation. Hence, the taking of the cash of the corporation was done with grave abuse of confidence.” Laurel cited three alleged checks, one worth P400,000 going to Suzara, and the other two worth P4 million and P2 million, respectively, released to Caringal.
I do not doubt the varacity of the reports, especially the one printed by the Inquirer (not because I had worked with the Inquirer for 20 years, the last seven as the paper’s sports editor).
“There is no board resolution authorizing the release of cash advances to any of the board of directors or officers of the corporation,” Laurel said. The charges are quite serious and must be addressed immediately by the respondents, especially in the case of Suzara.
A highly respected and a very influential figure in Philippine sports, having been a pillar in volleyball and credited much for triggering the resurgence of the sport the last decade or so, Suzara must come out immediately to clear his name.
Suzara’s current position as the executive director of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) could be enormously compromised if he continues to remain silent amid cries for him to explain his case in public. The Phisgoc oversees the SEA Games to be held in the Philippines from November to December this year.
Of course, Suzara and Caringal are deemed innocent until proven guilty in court.
But prudence tells us, always, that a brewing storm must be immediately nipped in the bud before it gets overblown.
THAT’S IT Paquito Rivas deserves to be conferred cycling’s Hall of Fame trophy in the coming Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards. His feats, especially his mountain-climbing prowess, are indeed legendary. But if only to remind my dear buddy, PSA President Dodo Catacutan, another biker also worthy of the award is sitting silently, watching from the sidelines. He’s none other than Jesus A. Garcia Jr., a three-time road-racing champion with classic victories in the fabled 1973 Tour of Luzon, 1977 Tour of PiCCA and the 1977 Marlboro Tour. He was a four-time Tour of Luzon runner-up to Jose Sumalde, Cornelio Padilla Jr., Samson Carino and Domingo Quilban. He skippered Pangasinan to a record six Tour team titles. Just a thought, Doods. Thank you…And, yes, Happy Valentine’s Day, guys!