Manotoc to pull out of polls

The NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines) yesterday allayed fears that the issuance of an old directive on membership dues that may run up to hundreds of thousands, or even millions of pesos to be paid by member clubs is literally driving a wedge between the golf body and a group seeking new mandate in the local golf hierarchy.

But the advisory issued March 9 didn’t sit well with the group led by sportsman Tommy Manotoc, who said that with the new restrictions "it would be very difficult to ask the clubs supporting us to put in those big amounts of money."

"We are reconsidering to pull out of the (April 26) elections," said a source close to Manotoc, who consulted his supporters late last night.

The issuance of the memorandum, directing member clubs to pay membership dues at P150 per club’s individual active member based on the roster, gave a new twist to the run-up to the election between incumbent NGAP president Rod Feliciano and Manotoc, who had earlier vowed to seek the presidency in a non-confrontational way.

Feliciano is reportedly counting on the military clubs for his third straight crack at the presidency while Manotoc has the backing of the country’s major golf clubs, including those from the Federation of Golf Clubs of the Phils.

"They’re making it difficult for us to get in," a Manotoc backer told The STAR yesterday.

The source said that the golf body has called for an amnesty in 2002 on all golf clubs outside of the NGAP fold to lure them back "in the spirit of unity."

"The critical mass of clubs was outside of the fold of the NGAP and we hope that by calling for an amnesty, we may lure them back, bring unity to Philippine golf and get the national handicapping system, which is the association’s flagship project, in place," the source said.

"Nakabukas ang pinto ng NGAP sa lahat. Suddenly with the election coming up, they issued this advisory on membership dues. Bakit pinahihirapan kaming pumasok," the source said.

Manotoc has earlier confirmed his bid to challenge Feliciano in an attempt to unify the golf community and push for the development of the sport.

The memo likewise ordered member clubs, those whose handicapping is not done by the NGAP, to submit their rosters which will be the basis for payment of membership dues for years 2002, 2003 and 2004.

The same source added that the directive would mean clubs will have to shell out huge amounts to be able to reactivate their memberships. Canlubang, for one, has reportedly an arrears of over P400,000 but it has signified its intention to pay its dues.

However, the NGAP reiterated that payment of dues should be made a month before the election, in this case on March 27, which clubs may find too close to meet the demand.

But NGAP secretary-general Benny Gopez denied the charges, saying it was an old directive which he has issued only to remind the members, including those who would want to reactivate their membership, of their obligations with regard to their dues

"Ang hirap sa kanila, salita sila ng salita without reading the (NGAP) Constitution. Sinusunod ko lang ang By-laws namin," said Gopez.

In fact, Gopez claimed it was him who even pushed for the postponement of the elections from March 30 to April 26 to give these member clubs ample time to settle their dues and at the same time for the other parties to come up with their own ticket.

"We could’ve pushed for the original date of the elections and run unopposed but we didn’t. Tapos kami pa ngayon ang masama?" said Gopez.

"I’ve always been fair to everybody but I expect to receive all the criticisms after this," he added.