Manila Rep. Bagatsing butts in on Arboleda mauling incident

The House of Representatives has decided to investigate the violent incident involving Burger King playmaker Wynne Arboleda and Smart-Gilas fan Alain Katigbac when Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing conducts a Congressional inquiry on Wednesday. Arboleda assaulted Katigbac, who continuously taunted the burly BK playmaker while sitting at the special courtside section, during the Whopper’s 115-105 trouncing of the Smart Gilas developmental squad of coach Rajko Toroman last Oct. 16.

Bagatsing – the House Games and Amusement Committee chairman – has invited Arboleda, Katigbac, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios, league chairman Lito Alvarez, Burger King coach Yeng Guiao, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executives Ricky Vargas and Noli Eala, Smart-Gilas mentor Rajko Toroman, coaches commission head Fritz Gaston, Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain, and Araneta Coliseum officials Rene Cayetano and Sienna Olaso. The hearing is set 1 p.m. at the Mitra Building conference room inside the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. Barrios will be accompanied by one of the league’s lawyers. PBA players Marlou Aquino of Sta. Lucia and San Miguel’s Danny Ildefonso, who were also involved in a similar on court incidents with fans last season, are also invited to attend the hearing. Guiao, who was at the wedding of Sen. Mar Roxas and newscaster Korina Sanchez Tuesday at the Sto. Domingo Church, informed GMANews.TV that he will not attend the hearing which was brought to him on a short notice. “I have previous commitments, so I cannot attend," said Guiao in a telephone interview. Bagatsing, the Rep. of Manila’s fifth district, sent the PBA a letter requesting Barrios’ presence in the hearing to give light on the Arboleda-Katigbac case. “The inquiry is to ask PBA, GAB and others concerned if they want a piece of legislation to protect the rights of the players and the paying fans," said Bagatsing in an interview with GMANews.TV. He said the PBA, GAB, teams, players and management of game venues should impose stricter measures to avoid a repeat of the incident. “I am just after the public’s safety and we want to have safety measures. If we can come up with a law I would push for stiffer fines on the players and fans involved in future incidents."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV “Damn if you do, damn if you don’t. Kung wala tayong gagawin, walang mangyayari sa bansa natin. Huwag sana lagyan ng kulay yung support na binibigay ng company ni Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan sa KABAKA," added Bagatsing, referring to Smart Communications’ support to the solon’s sports program in Manila. Bagatsing was reported to be a former director of the Philippine Long Distance Company, which is the reason why he was seen in some of the past games of Talk N Text in the PBA. The PBA has already imposed a severe penalty on Arboleda, banning the cager for the rest of the 2009-2010 season and suspending him without pay, which means last season’s Defensive Player of the Year will lose close to P3 million in salary. The penalty was the stiffest in years since the league suspended Rudy Distrito, also for the remainder of the 2005 season. The disgruntled cager had his license revoked as well by GAB. “I believe the decision to call a hearing is untimely considering the fact that the league had already imposed a rest of the season ban on Arboleda and the player accepted the PBA’s decision," Alvarez said in a telephone conversation. “Aside from that, there’s a pending case involving both the player and the fan." Alvarez is set to attend the hearing as he will also represent Barrios, who have important matters to attend to. Alvarez, who is also the Burger King manager, added that Bagatsing should focus more on serious matters which the country has experienced recently such as the calamity that struck the nation the past few weeks, causing losses to lives and properties. “I feel maraming mas importanteng bagay instead of this one," said Alvarez referring to the unfortunate yet eye-opening incident at the Big Dome. Two members of the PBA board who requested anonymity said they were surprised with this Congressional hearing, saying that the league has acted swiftly on Arboleda’s case while the fan has opted to seek legal action against the beleaguered guard. “We have already given a sanction on Wynne. Naparusahan na ang dapat parusahan and we have already come up with a stricter policy on game venues," said one of the PBA board member. – With Jon Perez, GMANews.TV