New Leadership at BSCP

After a Makati Regional Trial Court judge rejected their request for a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the election of officers of the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines , BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo and chairman Yen Makabenta were replaced in an election approved by the Philippine Olympic Committee headed by Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.
 
Chosen as president of the BSCP was Arturo “Bong” Ilagan with the recognized godfather of Philippine pool Aristeo “Putch” Puyat as chairman, Joaquin Perez de Tagle as secretary general and Jonathan Sy as treasurer.
 
Others elected to the board of directors were Social Weather Station head and pool enthusiast Mahar Mangahas and Manila Bulletin assistant sports editor Willie Caballes.
 
POC official representative as observer of the elections was Buddy Andrada while POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco's special assistant and Athletics chief Go Teng Kok was also present at the elections conducted at Valle Verde.
 
In an immediate effort to reconcile their differences with the ousted leadership Ilagan issued a seven point program beginning with his announced desire to “heal the prevailing rift and animosity between the stakeholders in billiards.”
 
The seven point program indicated the BSCP would “treat the athletes with respect and fairness in all the activities of the National Sports Association” and assured athletes that there will be “fairness in the selection of players that will play in events where the country is invited.”
 
The new leadership of the BSCP committed to work for the “development of amateur players particularly among the youth” even as it assured all stakeholders that none of its officers and members “can use the NSA to promote personal interests.”
 
The statement also said the BSCP will coordinate all its programs with the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission and finally that it would “promote harmony and cooperation among stakeholders of billiards with the end in view of raising the standard of the sport and ultimately bring honor for the country.”
 
In denying the application for a TRO for lack of merit the court said the complainant failed to establish and present evidence that would show a clear invasion of a right that must be protected. The court also sustained the position of the defendants headed by Ilagan that it had no jurisdiction over the case.
 
The court also noted that the action of the BSCP under Fajardo was premature since the matter should have been first brought to the grievance, arbitration and mediation mechanism of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as stated in its constitution and by-laws, a copy of which was presented by the defendants in court thru lawyer Richard Palpal-latoc of the Rodriguez and Partners Law Firm. It was clear in the said by-laws that the POC shall be the final arbitrator of all intra-NSA conflict and disputes.