Fantastic Five keeps Martinez as president

This is a comment from my blog:

Last Friday, October 29, the PFF President called for a Board Meeting. Looks like Philippine Football will continue for at least another year to agonize under the misery of a greedy, corrupt, and inept PFF President.

To oust Mr. Martinez in a desperate attempt to save Philippine Football the Board of Governors had to have a majority vote to effect the ouster of Martinez and then propose the ouster move to Congress. A vote of 2/3 of Congress is needed to declare the position of PFF vacant and replace Martinez on November 2010.

Ten Board members out of the 12 attended the meeting. Carlos Cojuangco of NOFA (his perennial absence never questioned) and Ramon Manlunas of Bukidnon FA did not attend. Out of the 10 Board members, 5 Board Members voted against the ouster of Martinez. This shouldn’t surprise anyone as this was expected. Their unquestionable loyalty is not to the institution or the sport but to an individual who like Martinez favor their own personal vested interests.

Those who continue to protect their self-interest and personal ambitions and voted against the ouster of Maritinez are the following:

FLAVIANO FUCOY of Zamboanga del Sur FA
LEOPOLDO ARNAIZ of Baguio-Benguet FA
GLEN CARITATIVO of FA Tarlac
JOSE RENEVA of Camarines Sur
RENATO COSMOD of Davao del Sur

Included in the October 29 BOG agenda but was later deferred due to heated arguments was the issue on the signatories of the PFF accounts. Last September the Board UNANIMOUSLY voted and a resolution passed to have Martinez removed as a signatory in the PFF accounts to ensure the safety of the PFF funds. It was suppose to be a non-issue after the resolution was passed but some Board members became suspicious after an item in the agenda pertaining to the signatories of PFF accounts was listed in the agenda.

It seems that there was/is a plan to reverse/alter that decision so that the loyalist will be able to continue to receive their bribe money. It is common knowledge that some of the names mentioned above have been receiving regular funding from PFF while those who are fighting the corrupt system in the PFF has not received a single centavo.

Although Martinez and his cohorts continue to succeed the fight for corruption-free football in the Philippines must continue and Martinez should never ever be allowed to be a signatory in the accounts of PFF———there may be a good chance he may lose his supporters without bribe money. Let him dig into his own pocket and pull out those stolen funds he took from the PFF coffer. The court case must likewise go on whether Martinez steps down voluntarily or not. He must be held responsible for all his actions!

Comments

ceburoo said…
When you are brought up from the moment of birth in a political atmosphere and the ways of a corrupt system it is difficult, nigh impossible, not to be caught up in it and follow the example of others.
So Martinez and his ilk have once again demonstrated the advantages of a corrupt system in keeping their positions and snubbing the game which they have been given the honor of developing for their own personal glory.
Let's hope there is an inglorious ending for them and that Philippine football will be given the opportunity blossom under an administration focussed on football
manfred said…
Sad to see this discussion. What is to do? Where is a solution?
Everybody is right is nobody's fault.
So, do the best what can be done, let us play football.
anonymous said…
It has just been disclosed and confirmed that an item in the BOG agenda which was deferred included a proposal to suspend Cebu FA and NORFA for filing a case in court. Such proposal which is supposed to be initiated by Martinez in connivance with his cohorts will be justified based on the provision of the FIFA and AFC Statutes which states that member associations shall not refer DISPUTES to the ordinary courts. Although this item has been deferred according to our sources this matter will be pursued.
The crime of falsification of public or official documents was filed against Martinez by Cebu FA and NORFA after the highest level of proof were secured and presented to the PFF Board. Simply put, the evidence on hand clearly showed that the narration of facts in two (2) PFF Secretary Certificates presented to Banco De Oro and Bank of the Philippine Islands were false and the PFF had no legal basis in issuing such certificates. Such action of Martinez resulted with the PFF suffering the loss of millions of pesos.


Falsification is a criminal offense and based on the legal definition of the term “DISPUTE” the case filed by the two member associations can be hardly be considered a dispute and therefore FIFA ruling is not applicable. The provision in the FIFA and AFC Statutes regarding resorting to the ordinary courts of law is not absolute. For example the case of Vietnam Football Federation which initiated steps to conduct an investigation on their national players suspected of game fixing during the SEAGAMES held in the Philippines which led to the imprisonment of at least 2 national players after found guilty by the courts of law even earned praises from FIFA.

Just a few days ago UEFA started legal action in Switzerland against a former Cyprus Football Association official Spyros Marangos, who has claimed the bidding process to host Euro 2012 was corrupt. UEFA explained that it had taken this action to determine if there was any basis to the allegations made by Marangos and "to protect the integrity and name of UEFA".
In mid Sept Bayern Munich filed suit against the head of UEFA’s disciplinary service and another official, after a magazine report claimed the duo were behind unsubstantiated corruption allegations against the club.
Bayern said it filed a criminal complaint with Munich prosecutors against Peter Limacher and fellow UEFA employee Robin Boksic, following the allegations in a report in Germany’s Stern magazine.
Bayern said the magazine report indicates that the two officials discredited clubs “including FC Bayern Munich, with gross falsehoods and defamatory statements.
Do we hear any suspension handed down by FIFA to any of the entities mentioned above?
It must be noted that the PFF President did not provide Montayre and Emperado a choice to file their complaint in another venue in the first place as the PFF has failed to provide the mechanism that may address the issue on hand and hold Martinez responsible for his actions which most likely result to his ouster. The PFF to this day refuses to convene the judicial bodies as mandated by the PFF By-Laws and FIFA Statutes which are authorized to impose disciplinary sanctions on any member associations including officials of the PFF on any infringement including corrupt practices.
It is common knowledge that FIFA’s attentions has been called at least twice regarding this matter still no concrete action has been taken by AFC or FIFA----------------------which has puzzled many.
CEBUFA and NORFA should continue to protect the moral and material interest of Philippine Football as they may be the only hope to end the misery and sorry state of the sport. Let no harassment or threats deter you guys -------------remain determined and courageous.
Mike Limpag said…
Keep it coming man. I had a nagging suspicion that Martinez would hide behind that ruling. But that rule was meant to safeguard national associations from government meddling, not to give license for them to steal

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