30 July 2010

Villaflor: The missing trail of the AFC funds

By Noel S. Villaflor

NOT so long ago, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) planted an idea in the minds of Filipinos that the sport will soon emerge from its nightmarish state.

In September of 2008, AFC Vision Asia officials announced the inception of “a massive development plan to elevate the quality of football in the country.”

The AFC and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) handpicked the Cebu Football Association (CFA) to be at the forefront of the campaign.

The dreamers sprung into action, as representatives of AFC Vision Asia met with PFF and CFA officials to formulate the plan of making Cebu the pilot area of Vision Philippines, a 10-year grassroots development program. AFC Vision Asia pledged to fund the project.

As discussed during several days of planning, a few technical requirements had to be ironed out, one of which was for the CFA to amend its by-laws in line with Fifa statutes.

Less than a year later, the CFA, in a General Assembly in August 2009, amended its bylaws. PFF president Mari Martinez himself made sure to fly all the way to Cebu and attend the gathering to express his support for the ratification.

“It’s the first FA in the country to do so,” a CFA board member had said, pointing out that even the PFF has yet to update its bylaws.

In January this year, the CFA launched the Vision Philippines grassroots project, assembling young “elite players” ages eight to 16 from different clubs and schools all over Cebu, mentored no less by licensed coach volunteers.

Every afternoon for several weeks, dozens of players from the different groups would religiously train under stifling conditions at the Aboitiz Football Field.

But one weekend the practice sessions abruptly ended. The reason: funds the AFC promised never reached the CFA, sending the Vision Philippines’s pilot project in limbo.

I asked a CFA insider what happened. The PFF, he said, never sent them any money.

The AFC had earmarked at least P200,000 for the CFA program this year, and another P200,000 for the next. However, the AFC apparently cannot directly send funds to the CFA and had to course the money through the PFF.

The CFA repeatedly asked the PFF about the funds. CFA president Richard Montayre, the insider said, even had to meet the PFF president in his office to ask about the funds and why this wasn’t released. The CFA president ended up storming out of the office without getting a straight answer.

Left with limited options, the CFA emailed the AFC about the funds. The CFA was in for a surprise: it received a letter from the AFC last June recommending “a few amendments” in CFA statutes.

Now, didn’t they go through this before?

According to a June 23 report published on its website, the AFC has asked the CFA “to make the changes to take Vision Philippines-Project Cebu a step forward.”

The changes recommended mainly involved membership and disciplinary issues, none of
which has anything to do with the handling of funds.

To amend the CFA statutes meant the holding of another assembly and wasting scarce resources.

The CFA insider wondered: Why did the AFC not push these recommendations at the onset?

And granted the CFA does labor to amend its statutes anew, what next? What other set of recommendations would be needed to take the project “a step forward”? What other bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and labyrinthine nonsense would the AFC spelunkers hatch next?

This “amendment” explanation sounds like an elaborate excuse to withhold funds. I can’t help but ask whether the deficiencies in the CFA statutes are reason enough.

If so, how come the PFF continues to get assistance from the AFC? Didn’t the AFC find anything to rectify with the PFF’s “un-amended” statutes?

In a newsletter the PFF released last year, a headline read: “PFF: Financially healthy.” In the story, the PFF treasurer trumpeted the PFF’s fiscal gains for 2009.

Fine.

But there was one detail in this paragraph I found disturbing: “Fiscal discipline, strict expenses, addition of new sponsors, and new assistance from Vision Asia helped PFF hit its financial target this year.”

I wonder where that “new assistance from Vision Asia” went. To dreamland, perhaps? But definitely not to its pilot project in Cebu.

(nsvillaflor@gmail.com)

Sun Star Cebu

17 comments:

  1. The AFC Funds allotted for VA CEBU is just a small part of a larger scam-----It is only the tip of the iceberg.
    The PFF receives $250,000 per year in development money from the Financial Assistance Programe (FAP) and in addition there are other financial assistance coming from AFF & AFC and yet the PFF is perpetually broke. There is never any money to fund the national teams and the financial responsibilities for the national teams have been placed in the hands of private individuals (parents). There has been no National Tournament since the present leadership has taken over.
    There are strong indications that funds meant for the development of football has been misappropriated and the corruption continues big time due to the poor enforcement of any accountability standards within the PFF. The Biard of Governors inaction or lack of it is a contributing factor,

    For the year 2010 the PFF has already been receiving it’s share for the yearly subsidy of $250K and AFC President has partly fulfilled his promise made in the last PFF Congress by handing over 5 Million out of the 10 M he pledged during the 6th Congress.
    Unknown to many FIFA will be turning over another $250K to all member associations including the PFF. The funds is a bonus from FIFA perceived by some as bribe money for the coming FIFA election slated early next year.
    With the funds pouring there is reason to believe that football will not benefit directly from this but the corrupt leadership.
    The funds PFF will receive will go a long way in the development of the football and this funds should be secured and place in good use. This can only be done if the Board of Governors takes action now to stop the massive corruption in PFF.
    Just recently a document was seen were the PFF was being billed from FIFA an amount of $16,000. It was suppose to cover the expenses of Mr. Martinez and Company during the World Cup. Mr. Martinez was accompanied by 2 other individuals one of which is his Brother in Law . The expenses included an upgrade to business class in their airfare. More documents on hand show that personal expenses of the PFF President is being charged to the PFF. Such expenses include hospital bills, car accessories and credit card bills.
    Due to the above a majority of the Board of Governors is trying to call a Special Board Meeting to address the issues but for such a meeting to push thru 2/3 of the Board must agree. There seems to be a problem for such call as a handful of Martinez loyalist refuse to cooperate. It was revealed that some Provincial President are receiving different amounts of bribe money to keep their loyalty.
    We cannot rely on FIFA or AFC to investigate the misappropriation of funds as elections will be conducted for both bodies early next year and they need the votes of the national heads.
    In this case the only solution would be for the PFF Board and members of PFF Congress to take immediate action before the coffers of PFF are emptied.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If an upgrade to business class to attend the most important event of FIFA, one that happens only every four years, by the highest ranking official in football in the country is a point of issue for corruption, then it's you who needs to be examined.

    I'm not saying there's no corruption or misallocation of funds. All I'm saying is that business class to the world cup isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. For a person who want taking care about FILIPINO FOOTBALL and always say... "WE LACK OF FUNDS"...
    then he should sit in economy class or BETTER he do not fly, so he can pay the money to d players who deserves it !!!!...

    What he wanted to do in SOUTH AFRICA in LUXIROUS HOTELS ?????..
    Philippines NOT participated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

    so he should use hisvalueble TIME taking care ABOUT SERIOIUS WORK and FINACE in his office and not senseless travelling for his own selfish joy around the world...

    it´s absolutely correct that PFF PRESIDENT MARTINEZ is criticized for this bad behaviour !
    Why he also took relatives w/ him on cost of FIFA?

    WHY NOT sending COACHES TO South AFric; INSTEAD OF HIMSELF, SO THAT THEY COULD LEARN ABOUT international football!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What is worse is those foreigners who come to Philippines and think they know better than everyone else, and are only after to make money and free trips. Just like the one who runs a poor designed website and pretends he is all this and that. It must be nice to fool people and tell them lies and let them think that their money goes something nice, but the fact is that the money is spent for personal use like bills and trips. You arent any better than the PFF president.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @anonymous#1: the community has been wondering where all those funds went, so thanks for all the damning details.

    here's a satirical piece from the same author who could not make sense of the PFF and the more than $1M funds from the FIFA/AFC (published in time for noynoy's inauguration):

    http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/villaflor-dear-kris

    ReplyDelete
  6. Last February 2010 the President of the PFF, Mr. Martinez, acquired corporate signing rights at the Valle Verde Country Club. The account in Valle Verde Country Club was placed under the account of the PFF. A sum of 240K was paid just for the signing rights and those only authorized to sign in Valle Verde Club are the following: Mr. Martinez, Mr. Henry Tsai and Mr. Gerry Ledonio.

    Last June 2010 certain confidential information was leaked out that caught the attention of some members of the Board of Governors. Included were vital documents that clearly indicate questionable financial transactions done without the knowledge and approval of the Board as the corporate law requires.

    There is a move to call a Special Board meeting immediately to look into the matter and it seems that now the PFF is trying to buy time to cover its tracks.

    On July 16 Acting General Secretary, Chito Manuel, in a written request to the Valle Verde Country Club, asked to have the PFF account in the Club closed.

    It was reported that the request of PFF was denied until such time the PFF settled its payables. Apparently Mr. Martinez, Mr. Ledonio and Mr. Tsai had not settled their respective bills which they have incurred while enjoying the amenities of the club.
    The payables still to be settled summed up to more than 150K . Will the PFF have to shoulder these bills too?

    More, a Board member has also formally written the PFF President to clarify the so called “Investment” the PFF made with one Mr. Henry Tsai. It was reported that a whooping 1.5M and approximately $30,000 was disbursed to Mr. Tsai. The transaction did not seek Board approval and the details on the purpose and terms of the so called investment have not been made known to the Board. Up to this day the PFF President has ignored and not responded accordingly to the letter of the Board Member.

    There seems to be funds for everything else but Philippine FOOTBALL.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks anonyomous6 ...for more backgrounds !

    what has a private club to do with international PFF/FIFA funds?
    its interesting if a PFF BOG METING will take place.. how FA members view on it...
    maybe a remove of Martinez will be written in an Agenda for the soon coming congress?

    @anonymous4: whether german PFF consultants Schunk, Weiler or Albert took any money away from PFF.. they helped through own earnings.. german newspapers wrote in details about it.
    and what webpage you mentioned is not running fine? pinoyexchange.com?.. then u are wrong too!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pinoyexchange? Hahaha come on PW, dont be such a fool. Im not talking about that website. Weiler has helped Philippine football? Thats another fine joke from you! Such a big hoax and fraud. You dont even dare to say that youre PW when you register a new account on different sites. Youre a shame and disgrace. I dont have anything against Schunk or Albert coz they arent out to make easy money. While you are the worst, a scumbag who doesnt deserve anything.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous#6 post

    Country club membership definitely counts as misallocation of PFF funds. It's sad to read such stories and the attitude of entitlement of the leadership. Sad.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous4 are you Ernie Nierras, who hates german consultants?
    Haha funny that y<ou say now .. u like Mr. Schunk and Mr. Albert..
    hahaha nice tricky.

    Better tell us about your friend PFF President Martinez and how he used the international Funds !

    BTW : PFF consultant Paul Weiler and Mr.Alfons Schunk work hand in hands to help clubs and Teams... if you like or not!
    Mr. Weiler is Millionaire, so he not need PFF money and he not got it .. like the other consultants NOT !
    LIAR!
    Ernie you are a disgrace of phil football.. are u not the one .. who took money from richer families , so that their daughters can play for NT´s, even they were not ripe or injured?

    ReplyDelete
  11. More and more misappropriation of funds is being unearthed. The latest revelation is that millions of PFF Funds have been loaned to a casino moneylender/financier. It is common knowledge that such transaction is very risky and the PFF has no business in engaging themselves in such activities specially related to gambling.

    There are many financial obligations that the PFF has not settled. Once again the coaches under the AID 27 AFC program have not received their monthly allowances since January 2010. This is exactly the same thing that happened last year. When will this vicious cycle end?

    PFF funds are meant for Philippine Football ------ not to be loaned to moneylenders, not for signing rights in private country clubs and definitely not for the personal use of any of the PFF officers.

    We call on the PFF Board of Governors and all the members of the PFF Congress to immediately put a stop to this and to bring back the dignity and integrity of Philippine Football !

    ReplyDelete
  12. To Paul Weiler,

    If you are a millionaire, then why cant you afford to move out of your mothers backyard in Germany? If you are a millionaire, then why cant you give your "teams/clubs" proper equipment? If you are a millionaire, why cant you buy your own field like you promised many years ago? If you are a millionaire, why cant you organize a tournament like you promised years ago? If you are a millionaire, why dont you have success with your clubs/projects in the Philippines?

    And last, if you are a millionaire, why do you keep on stealing funds that are meant for the sport in the Philippines?

    Btw, im still not Ernie. And i will never be. Thanks for you wonderful post, it is very very funny.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello Ernie,

    u TELL stories again of lies...

    clear your strategy to take reputation down of others which YOU LOST COMPLETE..
    view in your mirror !!!!

    PFSA has success w/ FOOTBALL and our Clubs succeed . like now HSA Alegria..
    3rd place in FCIC Cup..
    and also w/ PERFORMANCE of ATLITICA de CEBU we are very happy !

    JUST view http://www.PFSA.biz

    seems you are JELOUS about it ..

    NOT OUR PROBLEM!

    ReplyDelete
  14. @ananymous4:
    y a millionaire shld only focus on philfootball?
    so far I know humansportaid helps around the world and media reported about it.
    defintely not a one way support in phils and one person can not rescue the football world complete alone.
    honour to HSA, thanks for the investments in phil sports.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, 2 different comments by Paul Weiler, and trying to be 2 different persons. Hahaha Humansportsaid helps around the world? Maybe in your own little fantasy world but we all know it wont happen. Its funny that you think im someone im not.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous said...

    More and more misappropriation of funds is being unearthed. The latest revelation is that millions of PFF Funds have been loaned to a casino moneylender/financier. It is common knowledge that such transaction is very risky and the PFF has no business in engaging themselves in such activities specially related to gambling.

    There are many financial obligations that the PFF has not settled. Once again the coaches under the AID 27 AFC program have not received their monthly allowances since January 2010. This is exactly the same thing that happened last year. When will this vicious cycle end?

    PFF funds are meant for Philippine Football ------ not to be loaned to moneylenders, not for signing rights in private country clubs and definitely not for the personal use of any of the PFF officers.

    We call on the PFF Board of Governors and all the members of the PFF Congress to immediately put a stop to this and to bring back the dignity and integrity of Philippine Football !
    August 2, 2010 4:34 AM

    ReplyDelete
  17. thanks for the revelations and tips, anonymous. if only we can get some documents.

    ReplyDelete