Prosecutors to file charges over MPBL game-fixing in 2019

Prosecutors will file criminal charges against 17 individuals tagged in a match-fixing scandal that rocked the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in 2019.

In a resolution, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has found probable cause to indict the following individuals for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 in relation to Presidential Decree 483, which penalizes game-fixing or point shaving and machinations in sports contests:

• Mr. Sung – 14 counts of game-fixing
• Sonny Uy – 9 counts
• Serafin Matias, Jr. – 7 counts
• Ferdinand Melocoton – 4 counts
• Jake Diwa – 14 counts
• Exequiel Biteng – 13 counts
• Jerome Juanico – 14 counts
• Matthew Bernabe – 12 counts
• Abraham Santos – 10 counts
• Ricky Morillo – 1 count
• John Patrick Rabe – 7 counts
• Ryan Regalado – 9 counts
• Julio Magbanua, Jr. – 10 counts
• Janus Lozada – 1 count
• Joshua Alcober – 1 count
• @Kein aka Kein Zhu – 3 counts
•  @Emma aka Emma Meng – 1 count

Those allegedly involved in game-fixing included players of the SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins.

The DOJ, meanwhile, junked the complaint for 17 counts of betting and multiple counts of point shaving for insufficiency of evidence.

It also dismissed the complaint for multiple counts of game-fixing against Kevin Espinosa, EJ Avila, Niño Dionisio, and Nice Ilagan.

The MPBL alleged that the violations took place in Pasay; Pasig; Navotas; Caloocan; Muntinlupa; Batangas City; Bacoor, Cavite; Malolos, Bulacan; Angeles, Pampanga; and Bacolod City on several occasions from July to October 2019.

The semi-professional MPBL was founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao in 2017.—AOL, GMA News