Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2) — Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Chito Narvasa is not going anywhere according to five members of the board of governors.
In a statement issued hours after seven governors voted not to extend the contract of Narvasa in a special meeting, San Miguel Beermen Governor Robert Non spoke on behalf of the minority to back the under-fire commissioner.
“They cannot just act on a whim. What they are doing is not in accordance with our by-laws and constitution. All five teams – San Miguel, Ginebra, Star, Kia and Globalport – stand behind Commissioner Narvasa,” Non said. “He enjoys our full support and we have prevailed upon him to stay and do what is right.”
Non added that the move not to extend the commissioner’s contract does not follow the league’s by-laws and constitution.
“These officials do not constitute the majority needed to remove or appoint the commissioner and thereafter, make any changes in the PBA structure,” Non added.
PBA rules state that a majority in board is two-thirds its current membership, which is eight of the current 12 members.
Only representatives from Alaska, Blackwater, TNT, Meralco, NLEX, Phoenix, and Rain or Shine were present at the special meeting on Thursday morning.
According to the statement, the five other teams’ representatives were unable to attend the meeting due to the notice for the meeting being given on October 30.
“So without this clear majority, all changes being made by these renegade members are not allowed, including the appointment of Rickie Santos as officer-in-charge, and would not be binding on the whole board membership,” Non said.
“This includes as well the misrepresentation of NLEX board member Ramon Fernandez as PBA chairman, when in fact, the sitting chairman is still Globalport’s Mikee Romero,” he added.
The statement also claimed that Narvasa attended a meeting with NLEX governor Ramoncito Fernandez on the belief that it was to discuss the PBA’s annual planning session, but four other board members – Dioceldo Sy (Blackwater), Mert Mondragon (Rain of Shine), Raymund Zorilla (Phoenix), and Dickie Bachmann (Alaska) – were there to discuss his removal from his post as commissioner.
“This move does not sit well with the rest of us board members. Any move should be made in the proper forum and must be covered the league’s rules and regulations. Any move beyond this is definitely not allowed,” Non said.
