THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) formally welcomed its new commissioner: former Lian, Batangas Vice Mayor Raul Lagrisola.

GAB Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and Commissioner Eduard Trinidad received Lagrisola’s appointment letter from the Office of the President last Feb. 28.

Lagrisola was personally welcomed by Mitra, Trinidad and employees at the GAB’s main office in Makati last Wednesday.

“With the exemplary experience of Comm. Raul both in his public and private careers, I am sure that he will bring valuable contributions to the agency, ”said Mitra in a statement sent to People’s Tonight.

Lagrisola took the place of Commissioner Mar Masanguid, who resigned recently to run for the mayoralty post in Davao Oriental.

Lagrisola, however, will serve as GAB commissioner only until June 30 this year, along with Mitra, Trinidad and other officials appointed by President Duterte.

But Lagrisola’s appointment comes at a time the government has agreed to place Metro Manila and nearby provinces under Alert Level 1 starting March 1.

“With most professional sports back in action and fan attendance back to full capacity, we expect more work to do at GAB to fulfill our mandate to supervise and regulate,” said Mitra.

“Of course, we have to continue to be vigilant to ensure that all health and safety protocols during live games are followed. Gaya nga ng lagi nating sinasabi ngayong panahon ng pandemic, it’s OK to be OA,” he added.

Meanwhile, GAB is looking into the legitimacy of the “Battle of the YouTubers” — a boxing event, aired over YouTube channels and organized by certain individuals on what appears to be staged or scripted boxing matches.

The boxing matches, which were broadcasted and viewed by about 2.6 million subscribers and non-subscribers alike.

GAB noted that paying patrons seemed to have enjoyed watching the bouts in the shows either as a kind of entertainment or real fight, hence appearing to be either staged or real; but from which the group appears to earn money.

The government sports agency is is now keen on investigating whether the group’s boxing shows can rightly be claimed by organizers, not as professional matches, hence outside the agency’s regulation.

“We always value not only the safety of our boxers but also the integrity of boxing as sports. Rest assured that we will investigate these boxing fights, and appropriate sanctions will be meted to those who will be found responsible under our existing rules and regulations,” said Mitra.

“We will suspend the boxers or trainers, or if not, take away their licenses if these boxing shows and their organizers are reasonably found to be exhibiting illegitimate fighting activities,” added the former three-time lawmaker from Palawan.