BLEACHERS BREW EST. MAY 2006

Someone asked me how my blog and newspaper column came to be titled "Bleachers Brew". It's like this, it's an amalgam of sorts of two things: The bleachers area in the stadium/arena where I used to sit when I would watch baseball, football, and basketball games and Miles Davis' great jazz album Bitches Brew. That's how it got culled together. I originally planned on calling it "The View from the Big Chair" that is a nod to Tears For Fear's second album, Songs from the Big Chair. So there.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Bleachers' Brew #234 The game of their lives Part 1 When two tribes go to war

This appears in the Tuesday November 16, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.

The Game of their Lives
Part 1 When two tribes go to war
by rick olivares

The PFF (Philippine Football Federation) House of Football at 27 Danny Floro corner Captain Henry Javier in Barangay Oranbo, Pasig City is open five days a week from 8-5pm. Nowadays, its current President Jose Mari Martinez, is the first person at the office everyday at 7am. He is also almost always the last person to call it a day. Even if it’s way past closing time. “I’m a workaholic,” he shrugs pointing to the mountains of folders and paperwork that clutter his desk.

However, some view Martinez’ work ethic to being paranoid that he’d arrive at the PFF one morning only to discover his opponents in the local football scene claiming his office as their own.

Martinez scoffs at the notion and dismissed it to his enemies’ far-fetched imagination and schemes to derail his grand plans for the development of football. Today he is battling gout but that isn’t going to stop him from going to work. “There’s lots to be done,” he says with a passion that lights up his eyes despite the deepening bags beneath them.

He played for San Beda, La Salle, and for country. Now as the head of the country’s top football office, he knows he’s still got some game left in those tired bones of his. “I care for football in this country. I am constantly working for the betterment of football but there are just so many kingmakers out there who want the keys to the football kingdom. And I have many spies inside the office who report to my enemies.”

The comparison might be medieval but there’s a little truth to it.

If there is an insurrection in the making, the chief “kingmaker” Martinez inferred to is Mariano V. Araneta, the President of the Iloilo Football Association who has taken the lead to put a stop what he and many others believe to be anomalies inside the federation. Araneta brushes aside the allegations that he wants the position. “I’m fine where I am,” says Araneta who played for the University of the Philippines and the national team in the early 1980s. “But when there are questionable things going on, you have to point them out.”

Football officials have accused Martinez of illegally appointing one Mr. Henry L. Tsai as a bank signatory without necessary Board of Governors approval using a falsified, notarized Secretary’s Certificate. He also appointed Mr. Tsai as executive vice-president of the PFF last January 1, 2010. “It is a position that assumes the presidency in case of incapacitation of the incumbent,” noted Araneta who pointed to Article 15.3 of the PFF By-Laws that states “The President has the power to appoint all members of the Advisory Council and all officers of the PFF including the Executive Vice-President, and the Treasurer subject to concurrent approval or authorization from the Board of Governors. He may, with the concurrent approval of the Board of Governors, create any and all kinds of Committees he may deem necessary for the exercise of the functions of management, including appointment of the Chairman and members of these committees.”

Martinez, who survived a putsch in the first year of his presidency in 2008, is determined to hold on. “It was an honest mistake,” he admits of Tsai. “I had some papers made when Tsai performed well after I first got him but I forgot to let the BOG sign it. It was done in good faith. But I am determined to recover the money.”

“Tsai made his fortune in the different industries and when I bumped into him last year, I asked him if he can help Philippine football,” related the PFF president. You see it was only me and (federation treasurer) Bok Marty who were looking for money. If we don’t expand our horizons then we will not have money to spend. I sent 10 national teams abroad last year and my concern was for the young to get more experience. I really have to expand our operations in securing funds because the FAP money will only get you so far.”

“When I spoke with Henry, I asked if he could help football. He said he was retired and was into something else. One day he visited me in the office and inquired about what help I was asking for. I said, ‘Can you come up with PhP2 million to help the PFF and pay off its debts? You can rent the space downstairs for PhP 40,000 a month and open up a store to sell goods related to football.’ I also told him that I had a coach named Des Bulpin (who was handling the national team) and if he could use one of his condo units. He said he’d think about it and two weeks later he came back and agreed to help. Little did I know he’d stab me behind my back.”

The money sent by FIFA is supposed to be used for a national tournament, coaches and grassroots training, disbursement to the member associations for various projects, and quite a few more. The member football associations of the PFF claim that none of the FAP money has found its way into their intended recipients. Martinez cites the number of national teams sent abroad as proof of his expenditures. “It is obviously not enough but I am able to secure financial assistance from our friends around the region to help that’s why our national players and coaches can go abroad.”

Martinez’ critics point out that his claims are not reflected in the accounting as well as the inflows and outflows of the PFF accounts in BDO and BPI. As for the illegal disbursements to Tsai from the FAP funds, they are specifically not allowed as per FAP guidelines.  The monies given to Tsai totaling US $30,000 and PhP 1,640,000 were listed in the accounting ledgers as “investments”.

Current General Secretary Chito Manuel debunked the allegations of illegal investments by pointing out to the revised By-Laws of the PFF where in Article 2.8 in the chapter regarding “Purpose”, it is written that “To perform such other acts as may be necessary to attain the above purposes (organizing competitions), including but not limited to entering into contract with private and public institutions or individuals; encouraging and promoting the local manufacture of equipment and allied terms for the game; purchasing or otherwise acquiring any real property or interest for its benefit; lending or investing any money owned or held in its trust; raising funds or borrowing money; improving, developing, managing or mortgaging, letting or selling any of its real or personal property.”

“As far as I am concerned, I only tried to do this for the betterment of football,” explains Martinez. “If the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) says I am wrong then I am wrong. They will side with who is right. And they know that I am working to make the sport grow in the Philippines but to also regain our lost standing in international football.”

Last October 27, the Philippine Men’s Football National Team qualified for the Suzuki Cup Finals that will be played from December 2-8 in Hanoi, Vietnam. In the upcoming biennial meet, they will be up against the regional powerhouses like Singapore, Thailand, and Laos to name a few. But the biggest battle – actually for the future of Philippine football – will be waged in the boardroom a week before that when all the member associations arrive in Manila for the end of the year-end congress.

Martinez’ opponents hope to squeeze into the agenda the matter of his questionable activities and if possible, seed his removal by obtaining 2/3s of the assembled body’s vote.

“They can try but they have no case. No one cares for the sport like me.”


15 comments:

  1. Do something right for a change? RESIGN!

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  2. Who does he work for? AFC or PFF? What is he in position for, AFC or PFF?Just imagine the nerve of this guys, not respecting the PFF bylaws..and now being cocky about AFC being on his side...

    We have bylaws. And it is very clear he didnt follow the by-laws.
    And by not following the bylaws, may nawawala na pera.

    Just imagine the integrity level of this guy, the board of governors who support him, and his gen sec.
    What he calls an honest mistake, one that was done in good faith, one wherein he forgot to inform the BOG:
    1. Falsified a public document - twice, not once...
    2. Due to this falsification of public document, he was able to assign his partner in crime, tsai to be a co-signor of PFF cheques.
    3. They decided to invest the PFF money(which was against FAP guidelines, and forgot to inform the BOG).
    4. They decided to spend money for personal benefits/gain - purchase of the valle verde shares, and over spent for his personal expenses,worth more than a Pmillion.

    To him, and his BOG supporters, to his Gen sec, all the above was just an honest mistake and everything that was done was in good faith.....tsk tsk
    Let us say, it is true, though it looks kinda impossible and improbable, should'nt he still leave the presidency for STUPIDITY????





    invested PFF money, not his money, and the manner it was done was with wrong intent from the onset - he falsified a public document, which gave Tsai the power to sign the cheques. With this power, they invested the money(more than P1m), h personal expenses
    -

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  3. "I sent 10 national teams abroad last year and my concern was for the young to get more experience." - what do you mean "I"? He spent for it? Or did the parents and managers spent for it??
    So kung hinde siya ang gumastos, nasaan ang pera?

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  4. Etong gen sec natin may pagkabobo and sipsip.

    Yun ba ang nakalagay sa FAP/fifa guideline? yung pera ay galing sa FAP, hinde pera ng pFF.

    And ang hinde niya nababanggit, ang pagka invest ng pera, ay walang approval ng BOG. And ang pamamaraan ay, gumawa pa ng pekeng publikong documento and president....isipin mo gumawa siya ng pekeng dokumento...

    so why is the gen trying to undermine the gravity of the so called investments????

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  5. I am Carlo Rodriguez. I am a PFF volunteer. I helped the U19 and U16 Rp ladies team , from 2009-2010.

    The end does not justify the means. He says that he did it for the development of football. Kaya lang, it was done by falsifying public docs, and by assigning tsai without the proper approval of the BOG.

    He says, he was trying to increase more money for the devt of football by investing( not too sure were), without prior approval or knowledge, without any contracts, or clear guidelines on where the income will go to. With this in mind, the end, not only the means, is equally and highly questionable.

    Hence,how can i agree or believe that it was an honest mistake and that it was done in good faith?

    I agree with Ernie that he should resign, and in my opinion , return the PFF money by end November, plus pay the interest expenses that it has incurred due to his sole decision.

    This will be a giant step in the right direction for football in this country.

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  6. It would be wise for the PFF General Secretary to do his homework before making statements. Mr. Chito obviously has very limited knowledge of the corporate law particularly in investing corporate funds.
    I am aware that the PFF is monitoring this site so probably the PFF Gen Sec can pick up some information from this blog.
    While it is true that the PFF may invest funds in another corporation or business there are certain procedure that has to be complied with for such transaction to be considered as valid and binding.
    The power of the PFF President are such only as are conferred upon him by the Board of Governors or vested in him by the PFF By-Laws. There is nothing in the PFF by-laws that particularly empowers Martinez to enter into any business transaction authorized by Article 2.8 without the authorization and approval of the Board. With the absence of such powers conferred to Martinez it is therefore imperative that before Martinez can invest any of the funds of PFF he must first seek a resolution from the PFF Board of Governors. This is clearly stated in the Corporation Code of the Philippines [Batas Pambansa Blg. 68] Section 42 Power to invest corporate funds in another corporation or business or for any other purpose.
    The truth of the matter is that Martinez and Tsai had a deal -----------Martinez turned over millions of PFF funds to Tsai to invest in his container and casino loaning business and then the profit from the interest would be split between Tsai and Martinez. That in summary is the truth behind the controversy. Martinez may deny this until he turns blue but this is a fact that many of the insiders of PFF can attest to. That is why Martinez is now suspending and firing several PFF personalities employed in PFF suspected of providing information which provided leads in unearthing most of Martinez’ unlawful actions.
    This is perhaps the reason why Philippine Football is such in a sorry state. Funds intended for football development are used to invest in very risky business so that Martinez may enjoy personally the profits from these investments which were never made known to the Board. He continues to deny that the PFF funds turned over to Tsai were not intended for investments but for “SAFEKEEPING”!
    Despite his 25K monthly allowance Martinez uses FAP funds to pay for his credit cards and personal expenses such as groceries, personal health insurance, driver’s salaries, purchases from Mercury Drug store, gasoline expenses, restaurants, personal hospital bills, monthly dues and other expenses for Valle Verde Country Club etc. THIS IS JUST WAY TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!

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  7. When I went to meet up with the PFF brass, I went with no trepidation. After all, the onus is on them to prove they are doing the right thing. It was a struggle to write this. Simply because I didn't want it to be one-sided. And the comments by all are the exact ones and honestly, thinking of Part 2, it's more of the same. It should get written in time for my next column.

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  8. "I'ma show you how great I am"... that is what the PACMAN did. In victory he showed compassion. Maybe our government officials can learn from this? Maybe MARI MARTINEZ can be hit by this!

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  9. It is really embarrassing what Mari Martinez is accused of doing. What makes this whole shenanigan worst... is the incompetence of the current Gen. Sec. Chito? So it's OK to take the FAP money and invest it/ Safe Keep it/ use it without authorization from the BOG? Notice the one thing that Chito never mentioned is "spend it for the development of football".
    So let's sum this up.

    1.P15M claimed savings of Mari Martinez for football ( very true). I know coz the women's group produced part of it.
    2.$250K (FAP)+ $125K Bonus + P5M vision Phil + $10K monthly Aid 27 + $30K admin stipend from AFC+ other donations of AFC!

    In his own admission Martinez acknowledges #1. IF that is the case, then where did he spend #2. I guess that is why the BOG asked to have the PFF FS audited, and the existence of a P7M unacceptable, and cannot be explained advancement to Mari and Tsai!

    O yeah.. missing in the audit is another P400K returned by AFC for the Women's U16 AFF tournament in 2009. The parents paid for that, but Mari has not returned that money to date.
    We'll pls expect another claim and maybe a lawsuit against the PFF and Mari Martinez if he does not return the money to us!

    I'll tell you guys about the real estate property next time.

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  10. Just got a call from a very close friend of mine who happens to be one of the 32 FA Presidents. According to him, he was surprised to be getting a call from no less than the President Mr.Mari Martinez himself. He was actually more surprised Mari offered him trips to Qatar, Iran and Thailand in exchange for his vote this coming Congress. Same offer he fooled the 5 BOG members who voted for him to keep him there.

    Well I guess Mari's strategy backfired. Now he just got confirmation that all of what has been written are most probably true, and as a result, he got so disgusted and turned off by Mari's offer.

    I just hope all the other 31 Presidents see his calls/bribes the same way my friend did.Mari is desperate to hold on and is now doing everything he can to stay there. What a pity. May God Help Philippine Football.

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  11. Martinez obviously has systematically ripped of not only the PFF but it looks like the managers of the national team too. Aside from the 400k that was not declared in the financial report the exact opposite I am told happened with the manager of the Men’s national team.
    It appeared in the PFF Financial Statement that there were airfare expenses for the Men’s National Team when they competed in Taiwan. Funds were released for this purpose BUT upon investigation, the manager of the Men’s National Team never received from PFF any reimbursement.
    So if the manager of the Men’s National Team did not receive any reimbursement for this purpose but the Financial Statement clearly shows funds were released to pay for the airfare of the Men’s National Team ------------------where did these funds go? Who profited from this?
    There is only one suspect and that is Martinez. He had it all planned out. Martinez requested the receipts from the National Team Manager making him believe that the PFF would reimburse him but all the while Martinez had other plans that would line his own pockets with FAP cash intended for the national team.

    On The PFF Gen Sec. can anyone figure this out? Despite the fact that it has been proven that Mr. Manuel has falsified public documents why did the board approve his appointment? It does not sit well with many as it sends the wrong signals. Mr. Manuel has not even apologize for his unlawful acts and still continues to defend Martinez making him into a laughing stock.

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  12. Here are the facts on the Land Title Mari mentioned in this article. In the first place the BOG did not authorize Mari to lend the owner of the land title money, which Mari declares as safe keeping with Henry Tsai. The money he gave Henry is another story. Anyway the land Title with TCT T-126877 (accompanied by a Deed of Sale) is owned by Centerpoint property Development Corp. This Company has no Certificate of Registration and License to Sell. It even has a CDO against it. So I have no idea how Mari plans to convert this TCT into money, and return it to the PFF.

    To the PFF Gen. SEc. That is why the BOG needs to approve the budget of the PFF, and all financial transactions, to avoid anomalous transactions. Chito pointed out that this type of transaction is allowed under the PFF by-laws. What he missed out on; does not understand, or plainly ignores, is that the money in question is the FIFA FAP money. The financial transactions outline in Article 2.8 is for PFF generated funds w/ supporting BOG approval. Big difference. Either way, even for PFF generated money (through sponsorship and or donations), the BOG still needs to approve this through some type of Board resolution. Just to make sure the fund are used for football development. I do not consider Valle Verde membership, personal loans=investment=safekeeping, payment for personal credit card bills, and other anomalous expenses football related? Obviously it was not safe, since Mari has to sue Henry Tsai just to get it back.

    Another interesting point: What money did Mari use to buy the Toyota Fortuner he mentioned in a previous article? IF it is his money, then why is he lumping this with the land title as guarantees for the money he gave Henry for purported safekeeping? Why does he have to return the money if it was his? How was he able to use the money, withdraw it, and use it to buy a Fortuner without informing the BOG? Either way again, he makes no sense whatsoever.

    Mari is correct in saying that AFC will side with who is right. AFC will use the FIFA guidelines for the use of the FAP money. I am confident that FIFA and AFC will see through all this BS, and not allow Philippine Football to be used and abused by a few people. Football belongs to the FILIPINOS and not to Mari Martinez.

    DO SOMETHING RIGHT FOR A CHANGE! RESIGN

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  13. The Land Title was used as collateral for a loan made by a certain individual. The money that was used was funds entrusted to Tsai by Martinez for “safekeeping” and it is suspected that this transaction loan is connected to the casino lending business of Tsai which Martinez was fully aware of.
    Regarding the Toyota Fortuner it has been disclosed that the Fortuner was purchased by Tsai and for some peculiar reason, the vehicle was placed under the name of Martinez but at the same time Martinez had to sign a deed of sale for the Fortuner which would convey the vehicle back to Tsai whenever Tsai wishes as he has already done. Although Martinez had claimed previously that the Fortuner was under his name and can dispose of it at anytime to recover the missing PFF funds it is clear from the records of LTO that the Fortuner is under the name of Tsai.

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  14. the certain individual that made a loan is a Mr. Marcos Ong (Mari paying back a favor to him), the money used and entrusted for "safekeeping" is FIFA FAP(Financial Aid Program)money intended for football development in the country, the peculiar reason why it was named to Mari is because Mr.Tsai is blacklisted when it comes to making car loans..the deed of sale was made early February when Mari was helpless and dependent on Mr.Tsai. Mari should be ashamed, he's also using his being Christian as a front,the last thing he should be doing. He's ruining the reputation of all of us Christians. Please don't use our religion to cover the works of the devil. shame on you Mr. Martinez. Shame on you.

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  15. Mari not cognizant about the FIFA FAP guidlines, PFF by-laws and making Henry Tsai an illegal signatory? All BS. He was aware about everything. He even admitted to it in a previous article This was all planned. Now he keeps telling people that He was not privy to what Henry was doing? They were partners. How can you know know when they used to talk hours on end, and plan this whole thing out?

    The person who is not cognizant about anything is the Gen. Sec. He is not aware of his job responsibilities. He acts more like a desk top paper weight than a Gen. Sec.

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