Black Coffee Part 1: My thoughts on the current row about football in the Philippines

The problem about the current power struggle between the new PFF leadership and Mari Martinez is frightening. As you may surmise, it isn’t easy going up against someone in authority more so if they have patrons behind them (read: Hammam).

To our foreign partners – the issue isn’t a power play but the removal of a person who has done the sport and the country a disservice. The issue isn’t a technicality but the falsification of public documents, the misuse of the PFF funds, and the loss of trust by its members. Let’s not confuse the forest for the trees.

Things aren’t that easy to fix. As much as I hate playing politics, I understand why people play them.

For example, the last PFF Congress that saw the ouster of Martinez. I thought that what proved crucial to his being booted out was when the various members of the federation spoke up to vote “aye” for the incumbent’s removal and replacement. The first few people to cast their vote for removal were so passionate in their delivery (especially Atty. Anlu Carpio) that it lent to a supercharged atmosphere. Not everyone in that chamber was for his removal. If maybe a few said “nay” at the start then who knows what might have happened. As it was, those perceived to be his allies spoke up close to the end and they would have looked stupid to have countered the “ayes”. So they voted to remove him. 

Why? Kasi maraming nakinabang in the form of bribes, suhol, favors or whatever-the-hell-you-want-to-use-so-you-can-be-politically-correct such as travel abroad and even allowances that were illegal in the first place.

I was surprised that some board members said that if Martinez returned the lost money he should be given another chance. WTF kind of thinking is that? That is why our country is like this. We jail coup plotters and other thieving politicians then let them go scott free. If these were ordinary people with no money or even a modicum of influence they’d rot in jail. If I stole from a bank and if I returned everything then I wouldn’t have to go to jail? Punyemas ang ganyang kamoteng pagiisip.

I was surprised to see that immediately after Martinez was removed and Nonong Araneta was asked to sit behind the table on the podium, a few others sat close by as if they were a part of the new administration. Mr. Mike Batilles who was voted the new Executive Officer didn't even sit down there as he was kind enough to give the new president the opportunity to preside over the remainder of the Congress. Yet one or two even whispered into Araneta's ear. A definite no no. Why? Because it can be viewed as a power play. As if one were signifying that yes, I was behind your ascension. It doesn't look good nor does it sound good. Beware of people who say that they played a role in the removal and ouster for they are the ones with agendas. If you did it for the sport then shut the fuck up and do things quietly.

If you ask me, I do not trust many of those now trying to make his or her voice heard. Even worse, we’ve seen the entry of new players. Where the F were you when all this was happening? Some want merely to capitalize on the success of the national team. Excuse me. When you talk about involvement, you talk first to the president of the PFF not anyone else. Oportunista!

The full story of what is going on and what came before is dizzying. It will make you want to throw up and cuss out.  When the full story will be told it will make you feel as angry as I am. Look, it's not fun taking shots at people. Maybe for others who make a career out of it (and who try to gain notoriety as well) but not me.  

You have football association presidents who have problems with their own constituents yet when they sit down in front of everyone it’s like they were God’s gift to the sport. And you have people -- good ones -- who were so disillusioned by what happened before that they decided to do their own thing without the PFF's help. Bless them and keep them.

Yet with all that is happening there is a possibility that the PFF could be suspended. When that happens there goes the national team. Same as what happened to the BAP. And remember that the federation runs on the Financial Assistant Program of FIFA. Without that money how will the PFF run especially since it has been bled dry by the former president? And there are so many unpaid bills from the past coaches and so on.

As for the national team, one cannot have a team composed of Fil-foreigners. You have to understand that. It is both good and bad. If you look at the Philippine sports landscape, more and more Fil-fors are taking over the slots from tennis to swimming to basketball to football. Time after time, the government and the people rail against the poor performances in international competitions. But does anything happen? Nope. It’s the same shit day in and day out. A delicate balance must be struck. A serious grassroots program must be put into place. What happens is you have someone starting something and when the next Johnny-come-lately arrives, he will junk that in favor of his own idea. Doesn’t that remind you of all these public officials who put out signs that say “This is a project by…” Wait. Pera mo ba yang ginamit mo o pera ng tao? And furthermore… trabaho mo yan kaya ka nandyan. YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

It’s time to look at football in the eye and say, this is what needs to be done. You have people in all the wrong places where they have the competence of a glass of water. If athletes are graded on their performance so should officials. They cannot perpetuate themselves in power forever.

So what can you do, the ordinary person on the street or the die-hard/casual football fan?

Ask your local FA on how you can get involved or help. Express your indignation by writing articles or as loathe as I am to say it, seek the help of people who are in a capacity to do something about it. Maybe also write to FIFA or the AFC. Let your voices be heard. And it starts with your own corner of the world. Your own district or football association. If it’s run by people with the right frame of mind and the right code of ethics you will go places.

There’s so much work to be done. I just want you all to know the score.