EVEN as the country prepares to get back to normal life, only professional sports leagues should be allowed to hold tournaments based on the Joint Administrative Order signed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health.

The JAO, which was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), served as the basis for the successful conduct of professional sports during the pandemic.

This was stressed by GAB Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra as he expressed concern on reports that an amateur league –FilBasket — is set to open at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authoriry (SBMA) this week in clear violation of the existing health and safety protocols by the government.

“Kami naman po sa GAB ay sumusunod lamang sa batas, na nais ipatupad ng IATF para sa kapakanan ng lahat. May napag-kasunduang JAO na dapat sundin ng lahat,” said Mitra during the monthly GAB press briefing.

“They (IATF) have asked us to enforce the health and safety protocols. They asked us to implement a no-audience policy and 14-day quarantine for all pro leagues and athletes,” Mitra told mediamen during the briefing.

“But I understand that they have allowed some (leagues) to go on. We are following them (the IATF) but they are not being followed. Parang useless na ngayon yun JAO.”

The JAO was the administrative order being used by GAB in allowing professional leagues, such as the PBA, PFL and PVL, to resume with bubble tournaments, and the PSC in allowing national athletes vying in international events to resume actual training

“We’re actually inclined to get out of the Joint Administrative Order with the PSC and the Department of Health kung hindi naman ipatutupad sa lahat,”explained Mitra as he voiced displeasure over the way the GAB was being circumvented.

He said allowing Filbasket, which claims to be an amateur league, could open the floodgates to similar sports leagues.

“Kung gusto nila, payagan na ang lahat at hindi yun piling grupo lang. Pero ingat lang tayo kasi hindi lahat ng LGUs (local government units) alam yung tamang health and safety protocols. Ang mahirap lang ang problema sa isa, madadamay pa ang lahat,” Mitra said.

“We should not let our guards down. The GAB is still here to try and help as much as possible. Our mandate is still to take care of our pro athletes.

But while the newly-formed Filbasket of former Ateneo player Jai Reyes and ex-Sta. Lucia Realty team manager Buddy Encarnado claimed to be an amateur league, GAB Insisted it should be classified as professional.

Based on the joint circular issued by the GAB and the PSC, all players, coaches, and other league personnel getting paid for their services are professionals, while those who represent the country are amateurs

“It seems that that the JAO is not working anymore in view of the fact that two basketball leagues, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Filbasket, were allowed by the honorable body (IATF) despite their commercial and business intent,” a statement from GAB.

“Clearly from the GAB and PSC joint resolution, MPBL and Filbasket, are neither amateur leagues nor are they aimed solely for the development of the national training pool. Hence, they are professional leagues and shall be under the regulation and supervision of GAB.”

“They shall embrace GAB’s authority and comply with guidelines of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) of PSC, GAB and DOH,”

GAB cited Presidential Decree No. 871 issued by the late President Marcos stating: “it shall be unlawful for any person, entity or association to conduct professional basketball games or other professional games and competitions without permit and licenses duly issued by the Board.”

“Consequently, allowing sports leagues like MPBL and Filbasket to hold their basketball tournaments during this unprecedented time without a National Government Agency (NGA) overseeing the said events will open floodgates for all amateur/non-professional leagues to the detriment of their health and safety,” the GAB underscored.

“As we applaud their noble vision to provide livelihood and opportunities to earn to those affected by the pandemic, we need to stress that GAB’s mandate is to uphold integrity and provide ample protection to all professional athletes and stakeholders involved in the conduct and operation of professional basketball.”

Also present during the briefing were GAB legal division chief Atty. Omar Benitez and GAB professional sports division chief Dioscoro Bautista.

Benitez was also authorized to issue a “cease and desist order” to both leagues unless they comply with the proper requirements.

In a reply-letter to GAB, Filbasket claimed its players are receiving only token amounts or allowances from their respective teams.

Cash sponsorships are also enough to defray the costs of holding the bubble tournament.