The round-robin tournament, featuring the country’s top 16 players, is being held to determine the composition of the Philippine standard chess team to the 23rd SEA Games this November.
But it was thrown into disarray entering its third round last week when the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under Go Teng Kok called it off due to differences between a group of players and NCFP officials.
"Hindi naman ako ang instigator dito. Pero kung saan ang tama, doon ako. Magbago man ang isip ng iba kong kasama, boycott na ako. Hindi na ako lalaro," said Garma, an IM since 2000.
Garma and some other players led by IM Ronald Dableo and RP juniors champion John Paul Gomez rued NCFP’s alleged preferential treatment of grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio and Nelson Mariano.
"Halata naman na nag-decide na ang NCFP na seeded na si Eugene sa team at sila Joey at Nelson naman hindi na nakalaro sa first two rounds eh papayagan pang ma-reschedule ang games," said Garma.
Go had stressed that there is no favoritism within the NCFP but came down hard on the disgruntled players when he said last Thursday that those who will skip the rest of the tournament will face penalties or sanctions.
"If they cannot attend, they should have valid reasons. Or we will sanction them. We can take them out of the training pool," said the NCFP president who’s been trying his best to settle the controversy.
"Eh di gawin nila. Tingnan na lang natin kung ano ang kalalabasan. Talaga atang sira na sila. Kami na ang na-agrabyado, kami pa ngayon ang masa-sanction," Garma, a former RP Open champion, said.
"Sumama lang naman ang loob namin dahil instead na limang slots ang paglalabanan para sa SEA Games, ginawa nilang apat. Halatang para kay Eugene ang isa. So, masisisi ba nila kami?" he added.
Last Thursday, Torre said he had decided not to play in the tournament and considered himself out of the RP team. Despite this, Go said he might consider putting Torre in the team if his presence is needed.
In case the boycott prospers, Garma said he expects the NCFP to cancel the tournament once and for all and just announce the names of the five players to make the standard chess team to the SEA Games.
He also questioned NCFP’s plan to sanction or penalize the players who will skip the remainder of the tournament. He said he doesn’t know of any other sport where players are sanctioned for not joining a tryout.
"Buong pride na namin ang pinapakain sa amin. Tapos may sanction pa kami ngayon pag di kami sumipot. Sobrang unfair na ito. Pinatay ka na, ikaw pa ang akusado sa pagpatay sa iyo," Garma said.