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Pichay: Result of chess probe out soon

Inquirer
Last updated 01:42am (Mla time) 01/26/2007


THE NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines is expected to announce in the next few weeks the result of its investigation of the game-fixing scam and the penalties for the guilty players.

NCFP president and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said he would immediately convene the NCFP board once the investigating group finalizes its report.

“The board will hear the side of the accused. They will be given their day in court, and we will make sure that justice will prevail,” said the Surigao del Sur lawmaker.

Meanwhile, International Master Jayson Gonzales, a member of the five-man investigating team, said evidence is strong against the eight accused players based on the reviewed score sheets of the 1st PGMA Cup, the National Inter-Provincial in Cagayan de Oro City and the National Championship last month in Manila .

Gonzales identified the players as International Master Ronald Dableo, National Master Oliver Barbosa, WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao, WNM Enerose Magno, 12-year-old WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales, Dino Ballecer, Rainier Labay and Merben Roque.

Grandmaster Mark Paragua and IM Darwin Laylo were not in the list, Gonzales pointed out, because the score sheet of last year’s Tanauan Open was not submitted.

However, NCFP executive director lawyer Samuel Estimo said that he would push for a probe of the Tanauan Open results, adding that he had strong evidence proving the players were guilty of game-fixing.

The probe team is headed by NCFP tournament chair Willie Abalos with international arbiter Gene Poliarco, national arbiters Elias Lao and Patrick Lee and Gonzales as members.

According to Estimo, it would require a two-thirds vote of the 15-man board to declare a player guilty.

He said the players will be given 30 days to refute the charges even as he assured fair treatment for the involved parties.

Meanwhile, Lomibao also denied the game-fixing charge, adding she’s ready to prove her innocence before the NCFP board.

Also denying their involvement were Paragua, Magno and Ballecer. Tara Jade Aurelio-Dableo said her husband Ronald also was not guilty of game-fixing. Jomar Bernales had also cleared his daughter Christy Lamiel.