GMA swears in new GAB chief today

Newly-designated Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Eduardo (Estoy) Villanueva of Bacolod will be sworn in by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Malacañang today.

Villanueva, a Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Regional Coordinator, replaces Dominador Cepeda who was named GAB Chairman during the Ramos Administration in 1994.

Villanueva’s appointment was signed by President Arroyo last July 5. His appointment papers were sent to the GAB office in Makati the other day.

Villanueva is a tennis buff who played varsity basketball in his college days.

Cepeda leaves the GAB with a track record of integrity and a long list of accomplishments. It was during his term that the country enjoyed a renaissance in professional boxing with the emergence of such world champions as Manny Pacquiao, Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Peñalosa, Malcolm Tunacao, Eric Jamili, Rolando Toyogon, Rico Siodora and Joselito Rivera.

"We serve at the President’s pleasure," said Cepeda who was Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation President from 1996 to 1999. "It is the prerogative of the President to appoint or replace the GAB Chairman. There is no security of tenure in this position. That is the nature of the office. We may be removed anytime, not even for cause."

Cepeda was elected to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Board of Governors in 1996. His affiliation to WBC President Jose Sulaiman was a big factor in bringing the Philippines back to prominence in boxing. Cepeda said that since the position in the WBC board has no definite term, he will inquire from Sulaiman if Villanueva’s appointment means automatically giving up the seat.

The first GAB Chairman was Valeriano Fugoso who served from 1951 to 1954. His successors were Manuel Nieto, Jose Lingad, Justiniano Montano, Simplicio Taguiam, Luis Tabuena, Jose Macachor, Alberto Antonio, Francisco Sumulong, Cepeda, and now, Villanueva. — Joaquin Henson