BAPI sec-gen twits on FIBA recognition

Basketball Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BAPI) secretary-general Nic Jorge yesterday twitted the illegitimate group of Graham Lim and Tiny Literal for claiming recognition of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation), saying the federation recognizes the legitimate body and not mere personalities who anchor their claim on personal and business association with some FIBA officials.

Jorge also asked the Philippine Olympic Committee to re-evaluate its stand on continuing its recognition of Lim’s and Literal’s illegitimate group despite a recent court order nullifying its existence in favor of the BAP, Inc.

The Court of Appeals had ruled that the BAP, Inc. of Jorge is one and the same with the old Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), which already ceased as a group when it transformed into the BAP, Inc. following its incorporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on orders of Congress. All National Sports Associations (NSAs) were required by government to register with the SEC in 1994 before they could avail themselves of recognition and financial support from Philippine Sports Commission. The law, otherwise known as the Lina rider, was authored by now Local Government Secretary Jose Lina.

The Court of Appeals’ decision was supported by a recent opinion from the Office of The Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) requiring the PSC to stop all other support to the group claiming to be the BAP, including financial assistance and free use of all PSC-owned facilities.

"How can they (Lim and Literal) claim recognition of the FIBA when the federation recognizes only the legal group that holds mandate which emanated from where the BAP started?" quipped Jorge, who also asked the FIBA to trace back the BAP history which he said would show that the Lim group was clutching on an "imagined legitimacy".

"Even if we looked back, their group could not even be considered a splinter of the old BAP since it was formed only to accommodate people who were not even part of the BAP, Mr. Lim included," Jorge said. "It was only because of their manipulative ways that they were able to bodily drag the legitimate officials of the BAP, Inc. out of the NSA office and hold fort from then on."

Jorge’s lawyer, Cecille Cinco, however said: "The courts have spoken and we will make sure that the ruling, that is final and executory, will be followed by all parties concerned."