Tonyboy Liao slams board members' withdrawal of support amid PNVF suspension

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tonyboy Liao condemned the decision by the majority of the board members to withdraw their support amid the federation's ongoing suspension imposed by the FIVB.

In a statement Monday, Liao called the public declaration by the board members both "irresponsible and prejudicial" as the PNVF is still appealing to the international governing body, which slapped the PNVF with an indefinite suspension due to governance issues and violations of the international federation’s code of ethics.

"We at the PNVF, including and especially president Anthony "Tonyboy" Liao, are deeply saddened by the decision of some members of the Board of the PNVF and other persons to issue public statement withdrawing support to the current administration," Liao and the PNVF said in a statement.

"For the members of the Board to issue a public declaration before the appeal has been completed, before the documentary record has been examined, and before the proper institutions have made full determinations is irresponsible and prejudicial."

Liao, though, stressed he remains committed in cooperating with the appropriate institutions despite the withdrawal of support.

"President Tonyboy Liao is further committed to cooperate fully with the appropriate institutions and to allow the full records, documents and circumstances to be reviewed through the proper process and thereafter, to help these institutions arrive at a resolution holding those responsible to account," the PNVF said.

Withdrawal of support

PNVF vice president Yul Benosa led the eight signatories to the withdrawal of support alongside chairman Arnel Hajan, secretary general Otie Camangian, auditor Roger Banzuela, and board members Sherwin Maganda, Fr. Vic Calvo, Danilo Cong-o, and Socorro Calleja.

In their joint statement last June 6, the signatories said the withdrawal of support stemmed from their collective concern over the credibility of the PNVF as well as loss of trust and confidence in Liao's leadership.

"At this critical juncture, restoring confidence in the Federation requires allowing the appropriate institutions and governing bodies to conduct their investigations and make their determinations freely, impartially, and independently," they said.

'When trust is lost, leadership loses its mandate."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News