Congress decides PFF head's fate

By Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is set to hold its National Congress at the PhilSports audio-visual room this morning and unless there is legal basis to hold off a motion for the removal of Jose Mari Martinez as president, it is likely that representatives of 33 provincial associations will call for a vote of no-confidence.

Martinez recently evaded an attempt by five members of the PFF Board of Governors to file a resolution calling for his ouster before the Congress by voting to break a 5-5 tie in exercising his right to resolve the deadlock. But since the escape act, there has been a clamor for Martinez to account for about P2.8 million of missing funds from the PFF coffers with at least two of those who voted in his favor now insisting on an immediate settlement of the obligation or face removal.

Mariano Araneta Jr., president of the Iloilo Football Association and newly appointed chairman of the PFF finance committee, said yesterday he will raise the issue of accountability in the Congress preparatory to a call for Martinez’ ouster.

“I think those who voted against the resolution for Mari’s removal have realized the future of football is at stake and we all want a clean slate,” said Araneta.

A 2/3 vote in Congress will remove Martinez as president with secretary-general Chito Manuel empowered to call for an election within 60 days. Araneta said former PFF president Rene Adad and POC chairman Monico Puentevella will attend the Congress to observe the proceedings.

Former PFF president Johnny Romualdez warned that unless the missing funds are recovered, FIFA may suspend its subsidy to the organization under the Financial Assistance Program. Ernie Nierras, who is in charge of the national women’s football team, estimated that the PFF receives at least $400,000 a year from external sources.

Romualdez cited no figures but it was estimated that Martinez is liable for about P2.8 million, including an amount that disappeared in an unauthorized investment, excesses in his personal account and unliquidated sums. Romualdez said if Martinez does not settle his accountability by today, he should resign or face impeachment and a legal suit. If Martinez is able to produce the missing funds, Romualdez said he will be spared from a court case but not from a vote of no-confidence.

“The Filipino is compassionate and forgiving,” said Romualdez. “If amounts are returned, mistakes might be forgiven. If Mari and his executive vice president (Henry Tsai) decide otherwise, a court suit by the Board and impeachment by Congress are called for. The loyalties of members of the Board and Congress are to football and not to any one man who gives them free trips abroad and other perks.

“There are rumors that elections in FIFA, AFC and AFF next year will be used to solicit funds to fight an impeachment and any court case. These are not believable and candidates surely realize the Philippine vote can still be theirs even with a new PFF president. In the unlikely event these rumors turn out to be true, members of the PFF Congress should take the money and vote with their conscience.”

Nierras said the coaches, players, managers and parents involved in the national women’s program will speak out to denounce Martinez in the Congress.

“We’ve raised at least P6 million on our own to finance the national women’s program since 2008,” said Nierras. “We’ve received about P1.2 million from the PSC. But the PFF has given only about $12,000 when it has the obligation of setting aside 20 percent of its subsidy for the women’s program. We held the AFC under-19 girls tournament here recently and incurred a deficit of P208,000 which the PFF is supposed to cover. The entire budget was P3.7 million. Then, we held the under-16 tournament and we still have a payable of P2.2 million. There is supposed to be money for these tournaments but the funds are missing.”

Araneta said the conduct of the Congress could be “messy” as he expects Martinez to exhaust every possible ploy in derailing a motion for his ouster.

Romualdez took issue with Martinez in helping himself to PFF funds. “He must pay all amounts FIFA is charging the PFF in connection with the South Africa World Cup trip he took with his cohorts,” he said. “No past PFF president has ever upgraded any FIFA, AFC or AFF trip and extended hotel stays without paying for the amounts in excess of what these entities normally pay for.”

Martinez was stripped of signing authority in all PFF bank accounts when the audit confirmed his accountability for the missing funds. But Martinez rejected calls for his resignation because he claims the support of AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar. Martinez explained that with his foreign connections, he has saved the PFF over P15 million in costs because of sponsorships. He said if the Board removes his P20,000 monthly allowance and P8,000 monthly salary for a driver, he should pocket 20 percent of what he delivers to the PFF in terms of savings.

Martinez returned from a brief trip to attend an AFC meeting in Kuala Lumpur the other day with the promise of Hammam’s full backing of his administration.

Philstar.com