Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) — The owner of SOCCSKARGEN Marlins together with 20 individuals have been charged by Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes for their alleged involvement in game-fixing and other related schemes during games.
Upon the instruction of MBPL founder Manny Pacquiao, Duremdes alongside the league’s legal counsel Brando Viernesto filed criminal complaints against 21 inviduals including Kevin Espinosa, who previously managed SOCCSKARGEN Marlins, at the Department of Justice Tuesday.
Espinosa will face 17 counts of point shaving and two counts of game-fixing charges, a violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 483 as amended by PD 1602.
In a statement, Pacquiao said the filing of charges shows MPBL’s resolve to cleanse the league of unsportsmalike behavior.
“Gusto namin ipaalam sa lahat na sersoyo kami dito sa MPBL sa laban namin against any form of game fixing! Hindi kami nagloloko dito. Mahal ko po ang sport na basketball. This is my passion. Binuo ko po ang MPBL para maging liga ng bawat Pilipino at lahat ng gustong maglaro ng basketball ay nabibigyan namin ng pagkakataong maglaro dito,” he said.
(Translation: We want to inform everyone that we are serious here in MPBL against any form of game fixing! We don’t fool around here. I love basketball, this is my passion. I formed MBPL for the Filipino and we want to give opportunities to those who want to play basketball.)
Pacquiao said he would pursue the case until the cuprits are punished to set an example against those who manipulate sports for their own agenda.
“Galit ako sa mga pandaraya sa sports kaya itutuloy namin ang labang ito hanggang sa may makulong ang mga mapapatunayang guilty. At sa mga nagbabalak pang gumawa ng game fixing sa MPBL o sa kahit ano mang sport o liga, let this be a stern warning to you!”
(Translation: I’m mad at those who are cheating in sports that’s why we won’t stop until the suspects will be put to jail. And to those who are planning to do game fixin in the MPBL or any sports league, let this be a stern warning to you!)
