NCFP official questions appointment of Abundo

Lawyer Sammy Estimo, the embattled secretary-general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, yesterday questioned the recent appointment of Casto Abundo as the new executive director of the NCFP.

Estimo, recently charged with mismanagement by Grandmasters Joey Antonio and Bong Villamayor, questioned Abundo’s appointment since the position of NCFP executive director is not vacant as earlier reported.

"The sitting executive director is International Arbiter Gene Poliarco and pursuant to Article V, Section 7 of the NCFP by-laws, he cannot be removed without cause," said Estimo in a press statement released to the media.

Estimo stressed that the appointment of an executive director must also gain the concurrence of the board of directors. The executive director, he added, has no power to investigate documents and accounts, conduct inventories and prepare financial reports.

Abundo’s appointment was announced by the NCFP last Friday. It was signed by NCFP president Matias Defensor and chairman Andres Gatmaitan.

In his appointment paper, Abundo was given "full powers" to take over management of the federation. He was also directed to investigate all NCFP documents and accounts, review all coming tournaments and events, prepare a program for 2004 and then report directly to the president.

The NCFP letterhead used in appointing Abundo clearly showed on its left-hand side the name of Poliarco and his designation as executive director.

Whether or not an old letterhead was used only makes Abundo’s appointment questionable. Estimo also noted a handwritten message by Defensor on the appointment paper saying: "Toti (Abundo), hold for further discussions."

Estimo said he was also amazed to read that Abundo is currently the rating administrator and webmaster of FIDE, the world governing body in chess which holds office in Russia while assuming a second job at the NCFP.

"He must be bionic to manage two offices of NCFP executive director and FIDE manager from two opposite ends of the globe," Estimo said.

In his own press statement, Defensor said he instructed Abundo to help the NCFP as a neutral observer and "investigate the various charges coming from different parties in the spirit of fairness and transparency."

Defensor said to thresh out the problem, he has scheduled a meeting with all parties concerned soon.

"Only after the meeting when all parties agree in a fair and orderly manner... that proper action shall be taken. In the meantime, the status quo shall be maintained," he said.

The broiling controversy started when Antonio and Villamayor resigned as NCFP officers, saying they have lost their trust and confidence in Estimo whom they accused of mismanagement.

The two GMs also demanded an explanation on how the financial assistance from the First Gentleman Foundation to fund their training for the recent Vietnam SEA Games was spent, saying the pre-SEA Games training program was never implemented.

Antonio and Villamayor also questioned Estimo’s appointment as coach of the SEA Games squad. They said Estimo could not take that position and receive allowances and cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), since he is also sec-gen of the federation.