FIFA, AFC and PFF

[baguio]

 

what happened a new league scandal again?
why FIFA Gen.Sec. Valcke pressures AFC Hammam /PFF Martinez to get clearness in PFF SYSTEM?

UPDATE 11 Jan. 2010:
An official FIFA Document  appeared ( after new CFA  ABOITIZ CUP scandal in Cebu ) of FIFA Gen.Sec. Valcke by ordering PFF President Martinez and FIFA Vice-Pres Hammam ( who is also AFC President ) to give a comment of "alleged irregularities " in PFF SYSTEM ! PFF and AFC gave no answers yet!

The ABOITIZ scandal took place after many irregularilties vs FIFA rules  happened and clubs got punishments through ABOITIZ Cup organizers, even the clubs were inline with FIFA, PFF and CebuFa rules !

PFF OFFICIAL CONSULTANT Paul Weiler commented to this actions: " A company like ABOITIZ , who want to be  a worldclass company should listen to FIFA rules and targets and not go go away from such world-standards." also Weiler added: " I´m shocked how this ABOITIZ company use UNFAIR RULES vs CLUBS.. we informed FIFA and also PFF PRESIDENT MARTINEZ about this unfair actions in ABOITIZ league, also international media and organizations! "

 

[chimchim]

 

does ROMUALDEZ want to control the independent sport media in Philippines ?
which policy is behind ?
and ?
what the PFF has enough budgets why not to help poorer clubs and players ?
 irregulatories happen in PFF ??

 

one word is enough:
horror

source:
http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2010/01/philippine-football-federation-would.html

Some members of the PFF sent a complaint to FIFA. They do not normally respond as they want the NSA to send official communiques. It's a flawed system that can cover up a lot of shit. Fortunately, they listened. But to date, there has been no reply. Click to enlarge, folks.


Mr. Romualdez' and Mr. Marty's columns in the PFF newsletter. Power of the Pen indeed.


The Philippine Football Federation released a newsletter late 2009. And in that newsletter former PFF President Johnny Romualdez had a column titled “The Power of the Pen.”

He took to task those in media who have criticized the PFF “and their attempts to derail the Federation’s honest efforts at development.”

He then alluded to a colleague from the Inquirer and other writers who criticize – including those members from the PFF who even deigned to sent their complaints to FIFA.

First of all, Mr. Romualdez, there is nothing wrong with criticizing. One of the wonderful things to democracy is that we can disagree with one another yet not go to war about it like they did in previous centuries. And no, we are not the puppets of the "rebel groups" as you like to term (are you a fan of Star Wars? The Galactic Empire liberally uses the term "rebel" against Alderaan, Corellia, Chandrilia, and the Mon Calamari among others?). We've walked out on some of their misguided meetings as well. Check and balance, anyone?

Second, if your complaints are not even being entertained by your current arrogant President who keeps daring to meet up in a common place for a confrontation but never shows up, who always dismisses complaints with a “noted” but never follows up on them, who doesn’t even care to answer an official request by FIFA sent October 9, then what recourse do others have to take?

Third, in that same newsletter where you penned “your opportunity to admonish” writers and complainants, the current treasurer Antonio Marty that the PFF “has been financially healthy this year, reducing the debts of the previous administration of up to 50% already since Mr. Mari Martinez took over as President.”

Ah, what were the debts did your “administration” incur? Did you or did you not leave some money in the bank? I know you did. And if the PFF is financially healthy, then why are national team slots for sale and why were the salaries of coaches late last year? And when we talk about late it’s not by a few days but months. Why were allowances or fees in Iloilo and other places like UP Los Baños not paid (and it still isn’t)? You do not want me to go to a rehash of the problems of last year.

So did the AFC President really give a donation of PhP 10 million during that infamous donation (some say it was a bribe and I'm inclined to believe that) of his last year?

And isn’t there in the charter in the PFF -- a supposed national tournament? There hasn’t been one in two years.

The PFF guys are a joke. And you were even were a part of the move to oust Martinez but jumped ship a the worst possible moment because of your “I love football” statement.

You are not the only one who loves football. Disabuse yourself of the messianic complex that only you and Mr. Martinez or the others in the PFF can save football because it certainly needs saving from those who are willfully blind.

You once told me while we were having breakfast before the PFF Congress last year that you have always been careful about your name with regards to money. And I believed you. Not because you were my father’s classmate in the Ateneo but you were always stingy and careful with money to the point of being kuripot.

So how do you feel about Mr. Marty’s statement? And these guys never present proof, it’s always a report. If some people would accuse me of such I would instantly try to clear my name rather than not respond. The government of transparency that Martinez mentioned while campaigning for the presidency is but another empty promise.

Politicians. He was supposed to back up Pablito Araneta in the voting for the POC President right. Araneta ran under the banner of Art Macapagal, but Martinez arrived at the elections one day and sided with Peping Cojuangco and became the swing vote. But you should know that. Your own PR Officer, Ed Formoso ran for the PFF Presidency but you sided with Martinez. And Formoso helped bring in PhP 1 million from Solar Sports when I was working there (something I was against because I honestly don't know see how the tie-up between us and you could have helped our promotions. As far as I know, the PFF doesn't mean anything to the success of the World Cup other than PFF officials going there because they get a free ticket).

Ed is doing more for football with his work with street kids and the homeless. Lesson here, folks. Never judge a person by his looks.

Words. Not the power of the pen but out of the mouth of those who are supposedly the caretakers of the game.

I will borrow your line here – “I’m taking this opportunity to admonish.”

And that begs the question: what will you really do for football?

Posted by Rick Olivares 

[dani]

 

[vomber]

 


19 February 2010
Bleachers' Brew Blog
I support our Men's Football National Team. Yes, despite its problems. But being objective about the Philippine Football Federation, these guys are a piece of work. It seems that almost everywhere you turn to these days even in sports agencies there are massive problems from wanton incompetence to corruption. The PFF... man. Moving on, in the picture above, I don't know how you can call a tourney successful when you drew the opposing side. And what they left off that article was how our national team lost 2-1 to a college team in Taipei (that had six national players) and hardly practiced for the match. In basketball, the nationals lost to a team of actors and the whole NSA blew up. I'm not trying to put the team down, but the PFF and whoever wrote this should be a little more accurate. They still have not addressed the issue of the Fil-fors flying in only before a tournament. Kinda hard to work on chemistry and teamwork when you only have half a team then the locals are relegated to the training pool.

And then there's this guy. There are rumors swirling about this guy but I won't get into that. But this statement I will. Evaluation of the Football Associations? Mr. Tsai, start with the PFF's backyard before you deign to begin this housecleaning of yours. And who are you? You show up all of a sudden or is it this long association you have with the NSA President. And "eliminate the bad grass?" That is an implied threat to those who have questioned your president and his lack of transparency and poor management. And there's that "God" statement. Please refrain from that especially in such a controversial sports association. It belies a messianic complex even if you allude to your success in life. I should remind you that in Nazi Germany, the Wehrmacht had inscribed on their belt buckles -- "Gott mit uns." Translated, that means, "God is with us."


Posted by Rick Olivares , (Bleachers' Brew Blog)

[baguio]

is it true that Romualdez overtook the prezy chair from Martinez, since Mr. Martinez was always in a clinic past days?

is this allowed that the former prezy overtook the chair without informing local Fa´s?

 

[FCB_FAN]

Football charity game for coach Lloyd Lim
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: La Salle Greenhills Football Field


Go here reading FULL Message: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sR6Tl6UShf0/S5wW4TyU4zI/AAAAAAAAAE8/FUT8yh3bf-o/s1600-h/25487_10150149510525054_739040053_11604948_1832014_n.jpg

[baguio]

UPDATE 2010-06-24

AFC want DEGRADE the POWER of CEBUFA PRESIDENT ( removing article from BY LAWS ).

Will corrupt CEBUFA PRESIDENT RICHARD MONTAYRE listen? 

 

 

AFC recommendations for Cebu

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

 

Kuala Lumpur: AFC has recommended a few amendments in the Cebu Football Association (CFA) statues and has asked them to make the changes to take Vision Philippines-Project Cebu a step forward. AFC has asked the CFA to delete Article 6 which deals with disqualification of membership and instead include the same in the CFA’s Disciplinary Code.

It has also suggested to remove Article 6.2 which gives powers to the president to impose penalties saying the powers to sanctions, fines and/or cautions should rest with the FA’s judicial bodies (Disciplinary and Appeals committees).

“An individual person cannot be given such powers, lest his decisions may be challenged by other parties,” AFC said in a letter.   

FULL STORY:

http://www.pfsa.cebufa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168:pff-announcements&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

[chimchim]

FIFA MAFIA ! AFC MAFIA ! PFF MAFIA !

                                 

UPDATE 2010-07-26

PFF pressured now by a SUN STAR REPORTER ( he spoke about MAFIA SYSTEM in PFF ):

25 July 2010

Villaflor: English coach leaves Azkals flatfooted

By Noel S. Villaflor

UNCONFIRMED reports online say Englishman Des Bulpin, has quit as coach of the Philippine Men’s National Team.

Wikipedia, though, quickly listed as “vacant” the entry under the team’s head coach, while another entry says he now “manages India’s Under-19 team.”

Among conflicting reports why Bulpin resigned is that politics made it difficult for him to run the team.

 



Blogger Louie Encabo, who runs the site usapangfootball.webs.com, writes: “Des’
decision was made simpler when a lucrative India U-19 team coaching position was offered to him. Not only do they have better facilities but they have an organized Federation as well.”

India having an “organized Federation,” in Encabo’s words, suggests the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is not. Bulpin should now know that firsthand.

Some observers might find Bulpin’s resignation shocking, but I’m actually even more surprised that he lasted this long as Philippine coach, a job he himself described to a sports scribe as “a massive challenge.”

But finding the challenge too massive even for his Englishman’s wits, he flees faster than one can say “bollocks.” To hell with that one-year contract he signed in November last year, and never mind if the men’s team is joining the Asean Football Cup qualifiers this October.

(As an Azkals fan, it’s hard to forgive Bulpin for leaving at the height of the team’s preparations. An honorable man would have finished the job. The PFF mafia, on the other hand, is beyond redemption.)

This development must be annoying to a columnist for a national broadsheet, who wrote glowingly about Bulpin last February, even recklessly quoting a source, “He (Bulpin) may not be the best coach out there but he’s much better than anyone locally.”

(PFF technical director Aries Caslib took exception to the discriminatory statement, and was quick to reply with a list of Filipino coaches who are fit for the job.)

I pity the two benefactors, one of whom sits as team manager, who bankrolled Bulpin’s expenses, while the PFF need not spend a single cent by “outsourcing” its responsibilities of handling the national team.

Even more pathetic, Bulpin’s departure would give the PFF a convenient excuse should the team fare poorly in October.

But I hope not.

( nsvillaflor@gmail.com )

[vomber]

ohoh   


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/villaflor-missing-trail-afc-funds

Villaflor: The missing trail of the AFC funds

By Noel S. Villaflor

NOT so long ago, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) planted an idea in the minds of Filipinos that the sport will soon emerge from its nightmarish state.

In September of 2008, AFC Vision Asia officials announced the inception of “a massive development plan to elevate the quality of football in the country.”

Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency

The AFC and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) handpicked the Cebu Football Association (CFA) to be at the forefront of the campaign.

The dreamers sprung into action, as representatives of AFC Vision Asia met with PFF and CFA officials to formulate the plan of making Cebu the pilot area of Vision Philippines, a 10-year grassroots development program. AFC Vision Asia pledged to fund the project.

As discussed during several days of planning, a few technical requirements had to be ironed out, one of which was for the CFA to amend its by-laws in line with Fifa statutes.

Less than a year later, the CFA, in a General Assembly in August 2009, amended its bylaws. PFF president Mari Martinez himself made sure to fly all the way to Cebu and attend the gathering to express his support for the ratification.

“It’s the first FA in the country to do so,” a CFA board member had said, pointing out that even the PFF has yet to update its bylaws.

In January this year, the CFA launched the Vision Philippines grassroots project, assembling young “elite players” ages eight to 16 from different clubs and schools all over Cebu, mentored no less by licensed coach volunteers.

Every afternoon for several weeks, dozens of players from the different groups would religiously train under stifling conditions at the Aboitiz Football Field.

But one weekend the practice sessions abruptly ended. The reason: funds the AFC promised never reached the CFA, sending the Vision Philippines’s pilot project in limbo.

I asked a CFA insider what happened. The PFF, he said, never sent them any money.

The AFC had earmarked at least P200,000 for the CFA program this year, and another P200,000 for the next. However, the AFC apparently cannot directly send funds to the CFA and had to course the money through the PFF.

The CFA repeatedly asked the PFF about the funds. CFA president Richard Montayre, the insider said, even had to meet the PFF president in his office to ask about the funds and why this wasn’t released. The CFA president ended up storming out of the office without getting a straight answer.

Left with limited options, the CFA emailed the AFC about the funds. The CFA was in for a surprise: it received a letter from the AFC last June recommending “a few amendments” in CFA statutes.

Now, didn’t they go through this before?

According to a June 23 report published on its website, the AFC has asked the CFA “to make the changes to take Vision Philippines-Project Cebu a step forward.”

The changes recommended mainly involved membership and disciplinary issues, none of
which has anything to do with the handling of funds.

To amend the CFA statutes meant the holding of another assembly and wasting scarce resources.

The CFA insider wondered: Why did the AFC not push these recommendations at the onset?

And granted the CFA does labor to amend its statutes anew, what next? What other set of recommendations would be needed to take the project “a step forward”? What other bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and labyrinthine nonsense would the AFC spelunkers hatch next?

This “amendment” explanation sounds like an elaborate excuse to withhold funds. I can’t help but ask whether the deficiencies in the CFA statutes are reason enough.

If so, how come the PFF continues to get assistance from the AFC? Didn’t the AFC find anything to rectify with the PFF’s “un-amended” statutes?

In a newsletter the PFF released last year, a headline read: “PFF: Financially healthy.” In the story, the PFF treasurer trumpeted the PFF’s fiscal gains for 2009.

Fine.

But there was one detail in this paragraph I found disturbing: “Fiscal discipline, strict expenses, addition of new sponsors, and new assistance from Vision Asia helped PFF hit its financial target this year.”

I wonder where that “new assistance from Vision Asia” went. To dreamland, perhaps? But definitely not to its pilot project in Cebu.

(nsvillaflor@gmail.com)

seems a hot discuss is running :

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

    The AFC Funds allotted for VA CEBU is just a small part of a larger scam-----It is only the tip of the iceberg.
    The PFF receives $250,000 per year in development money from the Financial Assistance Programe (FAP) and in addition there are other financial assistance coming from AFF & AFC and yet the PFF is perpetually broke. There is never any money to fund the national teams and the financial responsibilities for the national teams have been placed in the hands of private individuals (parents). There has been no National Tournament since the present leadership has taken over.
    There are strong indications that funds meant for the development of football has been misappropriated and the corruption continues big time due to the poor enforcement of any accountability standards within the PFF. The Biard of Governors inaction or lack of it is a contributing factor,

    For the year 2010 the PFF has already been receiving it’s share for the yearly subsidy of $250K and AFC President has partly fulfilled his promise made in the last PFF Congress by handing over 5 Million out of the 10 M he pledged during the 6th Congress.
    Unknown to many FIFA will be turning over another $250K to all member associations including the PFF. The funds is a bonus from FIFA perceived by some as bribe money for the coming FIFA election slated early next year.
    With the funds pouring there is reason to believe that football will not benefit directly from this but the corrupt leadership.
    The funds PFF will receive will go a long way in the development of the football and this funds should be secured and place in good use. This can only be done if the Board of Governors takes action now to stop the massive corruption in PFF.
    Just recently a document was seen were the PFF was being billed from FIFA an amount of $16,000. It was suppose to cover the expenses of Mr. Martinez and Company during the World Cup. Mr. Martinez was accompanied by 2 other individuals one of which is his Brother in Law . The expenses included an upgrade to business class in their airfare. More documents on hand show that personal expenses of the PFF President is being charged to the PFF. Such expenses include hospital bills, car accessories and credit card bills.
    Due to the above a majority of the Board of Governors is trying to call a Special Board Meeting to address the issues but for such a meeting to push thru 2/3 of the Board must agree. There seems to be a problem for such call as a handful of Martinez loyalist refuse to cooperate. It was revealed that some Provincial President are receiving different amounts of bribe money to keep their loyalty.
    We cannot rely on FIFA or AFC to investigate the misappropriation of funds as elections will be conducted for both bodies early next year and they need the votes of the national heads.
    In this case the only solution would be for the PFF Board and members of PFF Congress to take immediate action before the coffers of PFF are emptied.
    July 31, 2010 12:35 AM
Anonymous said...

    If an upgrade to business class to attend the most important event of FIFA, one that happens only every four years, by the highest ranking official in football in the country is a point of issue for corruption, then it's you who needs to be examined.

    I'm not saying there's no corruption or misallocation of funds. All I'm saying is that business class to the world cup isn't it.
    July 31, 2010 6:28 AM
Anonymous said...

    For a person who want taking care about FILIPINO FOOTBALL and always say... "WE LACK OF FUNDS"...
    then he should sit in economy class or BETTER he do not fly, so he can pay the money to d players who deserves it !!!!...

    What he wanted to do in SOUTH AFRICA in LUXIROUS HOTELS ??..
    Philippines NOT participated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

    so he should use hisvalueble TIME taking care ABOUT SERIOIUS WORK and FINACE in his office and not senseless travelling for his own selfish joy around the world...

    it´s absolutely correct that PFF PRESIDENT MARTINEZ is criticized for this bad behaviour !
    Why he also took relatives w/ him on cost of FIFA?

    WHY NOT sending COACHES TO South AFric; INSTEAD OF HIMSELF, SO THAT THEY COULD LEARN ABOUT international football!
    July 31, 2010 1:26 PM

[vomber]

uh,
discuss goes on 

    @anonymous#1: the community has been wondering where all those funds went, so thanks for all the damning details.

    here's a satirical piece from the same author who could not make sense of the PFF and the more than $1M funds from the FIFA/AFC (published in time for noynoy's inauguration):

    http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/villaflor-dear-kris
    August 1, 2010 6:35 AM
Anonymous said...

    Last February 2010 the President of the PFF, Mr. Martinez, acquired corporate signing rights at the Valle Verde Country Club. The account in Valle Verde Country Club was placed under the account of the PFF. A sum of 240K was paid just for the signing rights and those only authorized to sign in Valle Verde Club are the following: Mr. Martinez, Mr. Henry Tsai and Mr. Gerry Ledonio.

    Last June 2010 certain confidential information was leaked out that caught the attention of some members of the Board of Governors. Included were vital documents that clearly indicate questionable financial transactions done without the knowledge and approval of the Board as the corporate law requires.

    There is a move to call a Special Board meeting immediately to look into the matter and it seems that now the PFF is trying to buy time to cover its tracks.

    On July 16 Acting General Secretary, Chito Manuel, in a written request to the Valle Verde Country Club, asked to have the PFF account in the Club closed.

    It was reported that the request of PFF was denied until such time the PFF settled its payables. Apparently Mr. Martinez, Mr. Ledonio and Mr. Tsai had not settled their respective bills which they have incurred while enjoying the amenities of the club.
    The payables still to be settled summed up to more than 150K . Will the PFF have to shoulder these bills too?

    More, a Board member has also formally written the PFF President to clarify the so called “Investment” the PFF made with one Mr. Henry Tsai. It was reported that a whooping 1.5M and approximately $30,000 was disbursed to Mr. Tsai. The transaction did not seek Board approval and the details on the purpose and terms of the so called investment have not been made known to the Board. Up to this day the PFF President has ignored and not responded accordingly to the letter of the Board Member.

    There seems to be funds for everything else but Philippine FOOTBALL.
    August 1, 2010 12:21 PM
Anonymous said...

    Thanks anonyomous6 ...for more backgrounds !

    what has a private club to do with international PFF/FIFA funds?
    its interesting if a PFF BOG METING will take place.. how FA members view on it...
    maybe a remove of Martinez will be written in an Agenda for the soon coming congress?

    @anonymous4: whether german PFF consultants Schunk, Weiler or Albert took any money away from PFF.. they helped through own earnings.. german newspapers wrote in details about it.
    and what webpage you mentioned is not running fine? pinoyexchange.com?.. then u are wrong too!
   
    August 1, 2010 1:21 PM

any additional opinions?

[joshuey]

very unnice   :

Anonymous said...

    More and more misappropriation of funds is being unearthed. The latest revelation is that millions of PFF Funds have been loaned to a casino moneylender/financier. It is common knowledge that such transaction is very risky and the PFF has no business in engaging themselves in such activities specially related to gambling.

    There are many financial obligations that the PFF has not settled. Once again the coaches under the AID 27 AFC program have not received their monthly allowances since January 2010. This is exactly the same thing that happened last year. When will this vicious cycle end?

    PFF funds are meant for Philippine Football ------ not to be loaned to moneylenders, not for signing rights in private country clubs and definitely not for the personal use of any of the PFF officers.

    We call on the PFF Board of Governors and all the members of the PFF Congress to immediately put a stop to this and to bring back the dignity and integrity of Philippine Football !
    August 2, 2010 4:34 AM

source: http://filipinofootball.blogspot.com/2010/07/villaflor-missing-trail-of-afc-funds.html

[chimchim]

PFF and FIFA need urgent change in its behaviours .

[joshuey]

here d complete mails between CFA and PFF:

http://cebufa.org:2082/cpsess4400973683/frontend/x3/filemanager/showfile.html?file=AFC+Vision+Philippines+-+Project+Cebu-1+%281%29.pdf&fileop=&dir=%2Fhome%2Fcebufa%2Fpublic_html%2Fimages&dirop=&charset=&__cpanel__temp__charset__=&baseurl=&basedir=

Cebu Football Association
37 F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo, Cebu City
Tel./Fax: (32) 422-4615 E-mail: cfaoffice@yahoo.com
                  


04 August 2010



Mr. Jose Mari C. Martinez
President
Philippine Football Federation


AFC Vision Philippines – Project Cebu

Dear Mr. Martinez,

You are right! Enough is enough! The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has not exactly been very accommodating with regards to the needs of the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for its survival as a pilot project of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Vision Philippine project Cebu. With our previous visit to PFF, we had the opportunity to meet with your Vision Philippines coordinator, Mr. Red Avelino, and agreed to the conditions with regards to the communications to AFC about this project.

Apparently, I think it is you who is not clear with your English since you don’t even know my complete name as your Advisory Council and don’t even get your phone numbers straight when you insist that you keep trying to get in touch with me.

CFA is not asking for anything that was not discussed and agreed upon. Before we left for Kuala Lumpur for the Vision Asia Workshop, we had already studied what Vision Asia is all about. In fact, we even prepared a two-day assessment with the Vision Asia group and the PFF, which was moved earlier than the planned dates and spent for it with our measly CFA funds to accommodate the Vision Asia project.

The CFA has always been one step ahead with its schedules. Even AFC recommended that PFF follow what CFA has achieved since PFF is far behind schedule. Several times We needed to clarify matters with regards to assistance several times since we continuously emphasized to AFC in the Vision Asia Workshop in Kuala Lumpur that all CFA officials work for free and that we would need this for legwork and paperwork to achieve such requirements. We also discussed about communications between Vision Cebu and Vision Philippines, which the five CFA Board Members who attended the workshop in Kuala Lumpur clearly understood AFC’s  request. So kindly read the Minutes of the Workshop because you were in hospital during that time and God knows why.

We certainly remember when you attended a meeting with the CFA Board of Directors in Cebu at the Tinderbox right before our 1st General Assembly. It should also be noted that we are the only Football Association in the Philippines who has had a General Assembly so far. You said in front of the CFA Board that you will only give One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) each year for two years for Vision Cebu and also promised to give us USD150.00 per month for the Vision Cebu coordinator. Apparently, as how the PFF has done in the two and a half years that we have been in the Board, all we get are promises.  To my surprise, you instead offered PFF funds to get some of the Board of Governors and FA presidents to support you for the next elections. Sorry to say that your offer didn’t work for me even if it did work for others.

We clearly remember what the AFC President pledged to PFF.  We also know from our reliable source that this money comes from his own pocket and not from the AFC. We also remember when he said that our Grassroots program is zero and that means PFF Grassroots program is crap. Part of the PFF budget only allocated Two Million pesos (P2M) as part of Vision Asia project PFF and Cebu but CFA never receive any amount despite the hard work and initiatives being done not only by the CFA but the rest of the Visayas’ FAs.

The four FAs in the area is practically the main source of players of our National team. This means that we may have the better Grassroots program in the country. We also took initiatives to formulate our U13 girls and U14 boys for the AFC Festival of Football this year.  Unfortunately, PFF only allocated Five thousand pesos (P5,000) each for the four Visayas FAs as support for Grassroots development plus the eliminations to comprise the National teams for this competition. Where is the PFF Grassroots program? Who are the committee chairmen?

This is clearly a lack of commitment and support from the PFF to the CFA, the lack of transparency of the PFF, not only to the CFA, but also to the rest of the 32 Football Associations in the country. We have dedicated a lot of time and countless effort for the Vision Asia program to succeed, so that this may be a template for the rest of the Football Associations to follow.  We have continuously complied with what AFC has directly required but sad to say, this “pressing relationship” as you call it, is a mere negligence of the PFF to the Vision Asia project Cebu and to the rest of the associations.

The CFA board has decided to put this project on hold until such time that the PFF realigns its priorities with the Grassroots program and the Vision Asia project.

Thank you for your attention.



Engr. Richard C. Montayre
President
Cebu Football Association
PFF Board of Governor
PFF Advisory Council for the Visayas




Cc:    CFA Board of Directors
   CFA Football Clubs/Schools
   CFA Elite Coaches
   CFA Referees
   PFF Board of Directors
   FA Presidents
   AFC Vision Asia Department
   Cebu Media

[vomber]

again a new one: 

10 August 2010
Villaflor: Martinez chides ‘stubborn’ CFA
By Noel S. Villaflor

SOMEONE’S in a really bad mood these days.

A couple of nights ago, an e-mail with an attached letter from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) popped up in the Footnote inbox.

The letter, a PDF file dated Aug. 3, 2010, was addressed to Cebu Football Association (CFA) president Richard Montayre. It bore the PFF letterhead and was signed by PFF president Jose Mari Martinez. Copies were furnished to the CFA board of directors and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Vision Asia Department.

Martinez apparently is furious that the CFA has been directly writing the AFC to inquire about the Vision Philippines project with Cebu as pilot area.

The PFF president’s letter begins: “Enough is enough.”

(Before I continue, allow me say that those three words are a real classic. It grabs the recipient by the scruff and makes him pay attention as he quakes in his socks.)

“The PFF has been very lenient and accommodating to the needs of CFA to survive as a pilot project in the AFC Vision Philippines program. You have been advised countless times that anything that has to do with AFC must be coursed through the PFF so we can review the documents and support and follow the Vision Program,” says Martinez.

“Apparently as I understand, you are not clear with my English language,” he adds.

Martinez then cites meetings in Kuala Lumpur and Cebu where they supposedly discussed these matters.

The CFA launched the Vision Philippines-Cebu project last January. Several weeks later, the project ground to a halt. The reason: the PFF failed to send funds for the project, the CFA claimed.

The PFF, however, insists: “You very well know that the direction of the Vision Cebu/Philippines is geared more towards Football Development, and this has also been stressed by AFC in letters they sent, but you choose to insist otherwise. If you have coursed all these through the proper channels, this could have been avoided,” Martinez says.

“Further, may I remind you again that the AFC Vision Asia program is not a financial assistance program. As such, there is no financial subsidy from AFC in this regard.”

Granted the CFA did err in “bypassing” channels of communication, one can’t help but ask: Why did the CFA bypass the PFF in the first place?

Another point that confuses me is the PFF’s statement that the programs are not “financial assistance” programs but are “geared more towards football development.”

But how in the world can anyone pursue development of this magnitude without funds?

In his letter, Martinez admits that the AFC released 50 percent of the P10 million that the AFC president pledged during the PFF Congress in 2008, with the balance supposed to be released in 2009.

“Please be reminded that this token was given under the good graces of the AFC president and to only assist in the initiatives and events under the said program. PFF
was given a guideline on the budget allocation for the project,” he says.

I wonder, do the guidelines say distribution of the funds also depends on the “good graces” of the PFF president?

Apparently, the CFA board’s convictions have left Martinez in a foul mood.

“Because of the present pressing relationship between PFF and your association, and your stubbornness to continue to directly deal with the AFC instead of PFF, shows me a clear picture of your arrogance. It has also left me no choice but to decide for CFA to go on its own directions towards Vision Philippines.”

The PFF gave the CFA two days to respond why the PFF should take “drastic moves to your actions.”

Last Thursday evening, the CFA Board reportedly met and replied to the PFF through e-mail. It also furnished copies “to all the FAs in the country” as well as media outlets. However, Sun.Star Cebu Sports and the Footnote inbox have yet to receive any copy. So we wait.

(nsvillaflor@gmail.com)

Sun Star Cebu

[dani]

More pressure on PFF and FIFA for clarifying Funds:

FROM M.LIMPAG ( SUNSTAR REPORTER )

More questions for Martinez

I got a couple of letters the last few days and they are both interesting. I’ve copied the text and pasted it here. The two letters are in JPG form and in PDF format and I thought it would be better if I’d just paste the text here since I don’t know how to upload a PDF file here and the jpeg version is low-res.

Click “more” to get to the text.

PS. By the way, a Manila reporter was contacted by former RP coach’s Des Bulpin’s agent to clarity that his client resigned because his pay got delayed. Wait for it in the news. That agent is planning to report the matter to Fifa.

05 August 2010

Mr. Jose Mari C. Martinez
President & Chairman
board of Governors
Philippine Football Federation, Inc.
PFF House of Football, 27 Danny Floro cor. Capt. Henry Javier Streets
Pasig city, Philippines

RE: Bank Signatory for PFF Accounts

Dear Mr. Martinez,

In connection with the incidents in Mindanao regarding the issued checks to the participating Football Associations for the Filipino Premier League, we noted that some of the checks were returned due to insufficent funds and that one of the signatories of the checks was Mr. Henry Tsai. As members of the Board of Governors, we would like to clarify the following:

1. Under whose approval was Mr. Henry Tsai made a Signatory?
2. When was the apprrval of Mr. Henry Tsai as Signatory made?
3. Who issued the Secretary’s certificate?
4. When was this Secretary’s Certificate issued?
5. What specific banks were the Secretary’s Certificate issued to?
6. where is the Board Resolution authorizing Mr. Henry Tsai as signatory?

Your reply within three working days from receipt of this letter is highly requested to clarity to us as members of the Board of Governors regarding these matters.

Truly Yours,
(signed)
Richard C. Montayre
Member
Board of Governrs, PFF
(signed)
Mr. Dick Emperado
Member
Board of Governors

28 July 2010

Mr. Jose Mari C. Martinez
President & Chairman
board of Governors
Philippine Football Federation, Inc.
PFF House of Football, 27 Danny Floro cor. Capt. Henry Javier Streets
Pasig city, Philippines

Re: Clarification on PFFI Investment

Dear Mr. Martinez

In connection with the reported investment of the funds of the PFF to Mr. Henry Tsai in the amount of
PESOS: One Million Five Hundred Thousand and US Dollars: thirty thousand more or less, the undersigned as your fellow member in the Board of Governors would like to request clarification and/or information from you
as President & ex-officio Chairman on the following points:

1. Under whose authority was the investment of the PFFI funds made?
2. What is the nature of the investment? who are the contracting parties?
3. When was the investment made?
4.) What are the basic terms and conditions of the investment?
5.) What is the current status of the investment?

Your reply within three working days from your receipt of this letter is earnestly requested and would
help enlighten the undersigned and the other members of the PFFI Board of Governors concerning the investment.

Very truly yours,
(signed)
Mariano V. Araneta, JR.
Member
Board of Governors, PFFI

[achim]

 

Philippine FA´s  write MAIL TO FIFA HEADQUARTER SWISS
( published by SUNSTAR REPORTER MIKE LIMPAG ):

Here’s a copy of a letter filed by five FA presidents against PFF president Mari Martinez. Fifa told Mari to answer this letter, but, I was told the good president ignored Fifa.

25 August 2009

MR. JEROME VALCKE
General Secretary
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box 8044
Zurich, Switzerland

Dear Mr. General Secretary:

Warmest greetings from the Philippine Football Community!

Faced with no other recourse, we write you to respectfully draw to your attention various actions of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) leadership led by Mr. Mari Martinez which are strongly perceived to be blatant and wanton violations of the FIFA rules and the PFF Charter and By Laws and inconsistent with the principles of Fair Play and professional governance.
To highlight some of the major violations, first, Since the PFF leadership’s assumption to office last November 2007 and despite widespread clamor by the football community, PFF President Jose Mari Martinez has refused to convene the first and second instance judicial bodies as well as internal PFF Arbitration Tribunal which FIFA has mandated and provided for in the PFF By-Laws; second, effective curtailment of the rights of the members of Congress; third, breach of the employment contract enterer into by the PFF and the 2008 AFC AID 27 Program coaches; and fourth, overall unprofessional and undemocratic manner of governance of the present leadership in terms of transparency in their decision making processes.
Kindly allow us to elaborate. 1. Anent the PFF’s continued refusal to convene the first and second instance judicial bodies and to set up an internal Arbitration Tribunal to resolve internal disputes which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the judicial bodies, it cannot be further gainsaid that an independent and robust judiciary system is indispensable in sustaining a healthy democracy within any Football Federation. Further, the FIFA has conceived the Arbitration Tribunal to settle these without any of the parties having to resort to ordinary courts of law; and prohibits resort to these court of law in order to insulate and protect the beautiful game from external pressures. As a matter of fact a complaint was filed on December 11, 2007 questioning the legitimacy of Mr. Martinez’s election as president in November 2007 based in the PFF Constitution of 16 September 2007 (annex “A”). The complaint was duly received by the PFF and to this date has not been acted upon (annex “A-1”).
On January 17, 2009, Oriental Mindoro Football Association (FA), Naga City-Camarines Sur ( FA ), Laguna ( FA ), all regular member of the PFF proposed the following items to be included in the Agenda (annex “B”)of the PFF 5th Ordinary Congress, to wit: (1) ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL (2) DISCIPLINARY & APPEALS COMMITTEE (3) PFF DISCIPLINARY CODE. (4) THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ACTING PRESIDENT, JOSE MARI C. MARTINEZ, (5) DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PFF LEGAL OFFICER IN CONJUCTION WITH THE EDWARD MAGALONA CASE IN WHICH MR. MARTINEZ FAILED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION DESPITE FOLLOW UPS ON THE MATTER MADE BY FIFA, and PFF accepted those proposed agenda, (annex “B-1”) On February 6, 2009, the PFF sent out the Notice of the Agenda to member-associations which included, among others, the proposed items which were previously approved by PFF. (annex “B-2”)
However, during the Congress proper on February 24, 2009, several of the member-associations were stunned and appalled to discover that the Agenda was completely altered and all the proposed items including those aforementioned have been deleted. Instead, a document perceived by many to be highly irregular, was inserted in the individual folders of each member-association which contained the “revised” PFF 5th Congress Agenda which purportedly was approved by the majority of the Board of Governors (BOG) during the PFF Board of Governors Meeting held on February 22, 2009. When pressed for an explanation, Mr. Martinez offered none. (annex “B-3” & “B-4”)
Although the said document contained seven (7) signatures of BOG members (including that of the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Martinez) which constituted a majority approval, these signatures include that of Benguet FA representative who was absent during the said meeting. Withal, the irregular insertion of his signature is perceived to be a deceitful act intended to impose the will of Mr. Martinez to exclude the aforementioned items from the Agenda.
More perplexing is the fact that the other members of the BOG whose signatures do not appear on the document but were present during the BOG Meeting were not even aware of the said document. Thus, they strongly opposed revision of the previous Agenda sent on February 6, 2009 on two procedural grounds: (a) any revision of the Agenda should be upon prior approval of the member-associations present at the Ordinary Congress since the formal Notice of the Agenda has already been previously sent; and (b) the complete revision of the Agenda just a day and a half before the date of the Congress proper is in violation of Article 11, Section 6 in relation to Article , Section 1 of the PFF By Laws which read: (annex “B-5”)
“Article 11, Section 6. PFF CONGRESS: The PFF Congress shall be held on the last Saturday of November of every year. The notice for the PFF Congress or Extraordinary PFF Congress, and the Agenda shall be made in writing to the Members at least one month before the date of the Congress.
Article 8, Section 1. MEMBERS’ RIGHTS: The members in good standing have the right to know in advance the agenda of any general assembly/congress, to be called to the meeting within the prescribed time, to take part in the meeting and exercise their right to vote.” (Empahsis supplied)
All these, despite previous receipt by the PFF of the letter of the FIFA Legal Division Director Marco Villeger dated February 12, 2007 containing the FIFA Guidelines and Directives providing for the creation of the judicial bodies and internal arbitration tribunal (annex “C”). This now begs the query: “Why is the PFF leadership adverse to the convening of a judicial system and institution of the rules on procedure?” “Is it because they are scared of their own skeletons in the closet?”
Intrinsically related to the above issue is the PFF Circular of June 9, 2009 which was sent to coaches who were applying for the AFC B Certificate Coaching Course scheduled on July 5-25, 2009 and PFF Referees Course scheduled July 11-15,2009 nationwide (annex “C-1” & “C-2”). The Circular includes the Terms of Agreement set by the PFF , some of which are considered highly irregular, unreasonable and in total disregard of the PFF Charter and FIFA directives and guidelines, to wit:
“TERM #6. You agree to submit exclusively to the jurisdiction of the Advisory Board and not to attempt to resolve any dispute or grievance the subject matter of the PFF By-Laws in a court of law. “ (Emphasis supplied).
But based on the PFF By Laws, the PFF Advisory Committee function is largely advisory in nature and is therefore NOT vested with the jurisdiction to resolve issues arising from the said contract. We maintain that the Advisory Board or Committee cannot supplant the judicial bodies and the Arbitration Tribunal. However, there is none; thus, effectively leaving the coaches with no venue for redress in cases of violations. “Is this a ploy designed to enable the PFF to dictate their will on the coaches by dictating on their venues for redress?”

The absence of these venues which effectively deprives each stakeholder of the football community with his basic right to seek redress under due process of law, has resulted in the deep divide in the Philippine football family because of many unsettled issues and questionable decisions by the PFF. We posit that this is a continuing violation of both the FIFA rules and PFF By laws for which the PFF leadership should be held accountable for.

2. Below are actions of PFF which curtailed the rights of the members of Congress. On January 6, 2009, the PFF sent all member-associations a Notice setting January 31, 2009 as the deadline for submission of all proposed items in the Agenda for the PFF 5th Ordinary Congress )annex “D”). As aforementioned, the Agenda was completely altered and all proposed items were deleted during the Congress proper on February 24, 2009 and instead a document perceived was inserted in the individual folders of each member-association which contained the “revised” Agenda. Despite being the supreme body of the PFF, the Congress was completely bypassed in the revision of the Agenda by the PFF leadership which did not seek their approval in stark violation of Article 12, Section 2 in relation to Article 8, Section 2 (Members Rights to Information) of the PFF Charter which reads:
“Article 12, Section 2. PFF CHARTER: “Any proposal that a member that a member wishes to submit to the Ordinary Congress for addition to the agenda shall be sent to the general secretary in writing with a brief explanation, at least three weeks before the date of the Congress, the PFF Executive Council, in its advisory capacity, shall recommend to the President if the Item for addition to the agenda will be accepted.” (Emphasis supplied).
Also, on February 5, 2009, the PFF sent a Memorandum to all member-associations informing them that the PFF President had declared all PFF Committees’ chairmanship and membership vacant until further notice (annex “D-1”). The declaration was a unilateral and autocratic decision taken by Mr. Martinez which was without the needed concurrent approval of the Board – the timing of which was suspect as the Agenda of the 5th Ordinary Congress scheduled less than three weeks away called for all PFF Committee Reports to be presented.
The PFF general membership recognizes the extreme importance of the PFF Standing Committees from which decisions concerning the organization of local and national competitions and in general, the development of the sport in the country emanate from. Lamentably since 2007 when they assumed their office, the PFF has organized only one regional eliminations leading to the PFF Men’s National Championship. To date, the second leg of the national finals never pushed through despite being part of the PFF calendar of activities which approved by the BOG and widely circulated and disseminated. Other competitions were also planned but never took off and the Men’s National Championship was even abruptly discontinued without any official explanation.
Last June 28, 2009, the Laguna FA General Secretary requested the PFF General Secretary, Mr. Cyril Dofitas and PFF Administrator, Mr. Leo Arnaiz for the Calendar of Activities of the PFF for 2009 to streamline and coincide their local activities with that of PFF and other local Provincial FAs activities (annex “D-2”). Unfortunately, there was never a response or reaction coming from the PFF, similar to many previous correspondences which were completely ignored.

3. The PFF breached the employment contract with the coaches under the 2008 AFC AID 27 Program which was approved by AFC and duly signed by the PFF President and the coaches concerned. Last January 22, 2009, Mr. Mariano Araneta, PFF Technical Committee Chairman and Member of the PFF Board wrote the PFF President to inform him that several coaches employed under the Program have not received their salaries and a few, who were fortunate to be paid, have not been paid in full. (annex “E”, “E-1” & “E-2”) In a tenuous attempt to exculpate himself from any wrongdoing, the PFF President accused the coaches of not submitting their activity reports – a fact which was vehemently denied by the coaches and by Mr. Araneta (annex “E-3” & “E-4”). President Martinez would later on admit that the AFC AID 27 funds were diverted and claimed that it was with the blessing of the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam (annex “E-5”). Even assuming gratis this is true, the BOG rightfully insists that the PFF is legally bound to remit the salaries of the coaches who have rendered their services as stipulated in their respective contracts, (annex “E-6”, “E-7”, “E-8”, “E-9” & “10”) and the PFF Financial Report for December 31, 2007 and 2008, stating that they have account payable to the PFF coaches (unpaid AFC Aid 27) (annex “E-11”)
Lamentably and in defiance of the Board’s decision, President Martinez continue to refuse to compensate in full the said coaches despite submission of their activity reports which incidentally, was not clearly stipulated in the Terms of Agreement of the contract as in the case of a Laguna FA coach who sent a demand letter threatening to take the matter to court – a fact again brought about by the lack of a judicial system. It was only then that President Martinez agreed to the terms of payment. There are many affected coaches who would like to take the same course of action but are hesitant in doing for fear of reprisal. This particular issue has brought about the resignation of several key officials in the PFF including the former PFF General Secretary, Pablito Araneta. (annex “E-11”).

4. The PFF exercises a dictatorial manner of governance in violation of the terms of fair play and non-observance of consensual decision-making; financial transparency and respect for the rule of law. To cite a few examples, to wit: the Congress, despite being the supreme body of Philippine Football, does not have a say in approving the yearly budget; the rights of members of Congress to propose items in the agenda for discussion and action are completely ignored; with the exception of a few who are directly involved in the administration of PFF, the vast majority of the stakeholders are clueless on the programs and activities with letter inquiries having been left unanswered; and the decision of the PFF to lease out a portion of the new PFF headquarters was arrived at without consultation with and approval from the Congress in violation of local corporate laws. (annex “F”)
Further, many of our very talented players from the provinces have been left out from the national team pool because for lack of funds to pay for their trips and related expenses, thus, leaving them discouraged. Cases in point are the recent AFC competitions wherein the composition of the National Ladies U19 & U16 teams could have been stronger with the possible inclusion of provincial players who were ultimately left out. Sad to admit but there is a pervasive perception that the national team slots are for sale to the detriment of equally deserving and talented players from the provinces (U16 Women’s Team Manager Report-annex “F-1”). Inspite the financial assistance from several international governing bodies including the AFC and FIFA, it is a pity that the PFF has not been able to properly fund these national teams and even asked the parents of the players to pay for their daughters expenses to be included in the team., (annex “F-2”), PFF issued a PFF original receipt to the parents but those contributions did not appear on the PFF Inflow and Outflow comparison of Budget, Actual and Variance as of February 20, 2009 given during the Congress (annex “F-3”). Attached is the letter of the parents (see annex “F-4”) which is requesting for a liquidation of expenses that was duly received by the PFF dated August 4, 2009 and to this day has not been acted upon.
Insofar as the PFF League Development Program for U11 & U13 Boys & Girls, there are 20 provincial football associations (FAs) who are to benefit from this program but 12 FAs were excluded without any explanation from the PFF. We maintain that it is the right of every member-association to participate in all PFF activities and programs. Considering that no criteria or requirements were sent to the different provincial FAs’ to serve as basis for their inclusion in the Program, this clearly demonstrates discrimination and favoritism. (annex “F-5”)
The PFF sanctioned several football officials even without a judicial system in place. A referee was suspended because he was unavailable to officiate despite the fact he never committed to officiate in the particular game. Although his suspension was later lifted, he had already served his illegal suspension (annex “F-6” & “F-7”)). Ironically, a PFF official was appointed to a position in the PFF despite the fact that an AD Hoc Committee created by President himself, has found the former guilty of two major offenses for an unserved suspension order for 18 months for attacking a team with a deadly weapon while he was the President of an FA; and overpricing of a second hand computer with an approved budget of Php50,000.00 for which FIFA funding for the Laguna FA Training Center were used. To date, the case has been dragging and the official’s appointment has sent a dangerous signal to member-associations. (annex “F-8” & “F-9”)
It is in this light that through your good Office, we hope to seek solutions to the current challenges that continue to deeply divide the Philippine football family and hamper the overall development of the game in the country. We therefore humbly request for a full investigation.

As the celebrations for the FIFA Fair Play Days are fast approaching, your immediate and favorable actions on these pressing issues which continue to hound Philippine Football is much anticipated and appreciated.

Yours in football,

Arturo Pacificador Jr.. PhD.
President
Laguna Football Association
Mobile No. + 639298553188
Email ad: junpacificador@yahoo.com
Address: Mathematics Department
De La Salle University
Taft Avenue, Manila City:

Ismael Batiles, Jr.
President
Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Football Association
Mobile No. +639188810888
Email ad: ismaeljrbatiles@yahoo.com
Address: Salon de France
Limketkai Mall
Cagayan de Oro City

Jay Adriatico
President
Oriental Mindoro Football Association
Mobile No. +639293493181
Email ad: c/o ronald_patulin@yahoo.com
Address: Nethsville Academy
Barangay San Rafael
Calapan City

Jose Vito Borromeo
President
National Capital Region Football Association
Mobile No. +639189164988
Email ad: joseborromeo@yahoo.com
&/or c/o paulinebsevilla@yahoo.com
Address: No. 845 S. Laurel St.
Barangay Addition Hills
Mandaluyong City

Atty. Juan Luis Carpio
President
Naga City-Camarines Sur Football Association
Mobile No. +639178146842
Email ad: anlucarpio@yahoo.com
Address: No. 20 Jacob Ext.
Liboton, Naga City