Monday, August 13, 2007 Delilan: Blunder or alibi? By Erwin Ambo Delilan The Buzz
I WAS shocked to hear yesterday from my other media colleagues about what Councilor Homer Bais did in pawning their family’s land title for P250,000 just to cover up the supposed travelling expenses of the Bacolod softbelles who will compete in Little League World Series in Kirkland, Washington in the US this week.
But sad to say, the group - a combination of softbelles from three schools in Bacolod, still wasn’t able to fly to the US over the weekend. Instead, they are hoping to have their flight from Manila to the US today. And, if they can, then, they will arrive there in the US on Monday (Tuesday in the Philippines) and immediately play without any familiarization of the field, among other preparations.
Well, it’s fine if they could fly today. But I know that it will be a big, big dilemma for the girls to play in the US without ample rest and familiarization with the playing field. But I don’t know why the Bacolod softbelles are always on the same dilemma everytime they compete in the US.
First, it started with Mr. Ray Fuentes, former coach of Paglaum National High School, who brought the girls their in the US three years ago.
Fuentes reportedly spent the money intended for the girls’ travelling expense for his own “personal consumption” and until now he’s still on hiding in the US.
Last year, the same scenario happened where the girls from three schools in Bacolod also suffered from no financial support after some local chief executives in Negros who were already hesitant in giving them financial assistance.
Not even the Department of Education (DepEd) helped. Now, I heard that it’s Councilor Homer Bais and Coucilor Al Espino who promised to raise the amount of P500,000 just to support this year’s contingent to Kirkland, Washington.
Gov. Marañon reportedly promised P50,000, Victorias Mayor Severo Palanca another P50,000, and the City Government of Bacolod - P200,000, among others. While the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) guaranteed to shoulder the other expense provided that it will be reimbursed with the amount of $10,000 to be given to the group by the organizers of the event there in the US.
However, according to reports, when Bais was asked to produce the amount of P500,000 last Saturday so they could take the flight Sunday, the councilor has nothing to produce.
And, left with no choice, he reportedly pawned their family’s land title to somebody just to produce the needed amount for the fare of the girls. Oh, what a “shameful” thing happening again for the girls.
Why is this so? Why is this happening at the expense of young innocent girls whose purpose is only to play and bring the bacon here in the country? What if they can’t fly today? What will happen to Mr. Bais?
And, granting if they can fly today, what will be the outcome of their performance considering that they will immediately play as soon as they arrive without even acclimatizing?
Let’s hope for the best but if worse will happen, Mr. Bais needs to answer for this to the public.
