A simple matter has damage the reputation of an entire organization

​September 18, 2009
 
"A simple matter has damage the reputation of an entire organization."
 
To FIBA special Commission Members and FIBA Members
      Through Dr. Boris Stankovic and Company
 
Dear Sirs:
 
My question to the members of the FIBA Special Commission is straightforward: What was the real reason for the Philippines’ suspension in July 2005 (letter attached) ?
 
At the time, our Philippine national team was already in Malaysia but FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann didn’t permit us to play. Even Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, the FIBA-Asia Secretary General, agreed with the suspension but it was based on Baumann’s presumption that such an act would pressure the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to reinstate the BAP as POC member.
 
However, that is totally absurd since the BAP was expelled without any legal basis. The FIBA Secretariat’s wrong presumption resulted to the current troubles besetting the Philippine basketball federation. In my view, it was the lack of compassion and common sense on the FIBA Secretariat’s part that caused this mess.
 
The FIBA Special Commission affirmed "SBP" as the national basketball federation in the Philippines. How can this be when it is stated in the Bangkok Agreement that the federation should be called "BAP-SBP." You stated that you based your action on the FIBA Central Board decision on March 2-3, 2007. By stating so, you have put the credibility of the FIBA Central Board to question.
 
You know very well it was the suspension then the merger that forced the BAP to compromise otherwise the FIBA Secretariat would not lift the suspension.
 
To refresh your memory, the Bangkok Agreement was signed on February 4, 2007 just a month before the meeting of FIBA Central Board in Madrid in 2007. Hope come you are now affirming "SBP" alone? Obviously, you know that FIBA would be violating its own General Statutes if it were called "BAP-SBP."
 
The issue here is not about the law, policy or constitutional right. Rather it’s all about what is right. I am really disappointed that the FIBA Special Commission could not be convinced to do the right thing.
 
Why can’t you just decide who are the legitimate elected officers on the basis of the two separate elections held in the Philippines – June 4, 2008 election of Vilafuerte-Pichay and the June 12, 2008 election of the Pangilinan group that was held without a quorum.
 
Now, the Bangkok Agreement is in itself illegal for a merger should never have been entertained in the first place because it would violate the FIBA General Statutes.
 
The FIBA Secretariat did the BAP wrong time and again, and will now have to face the outcome.
 
The BAP accepted the Bangkok Agreement only because the FIBA would not lift the Philippines’ suspension if we did not agree to a merger.
 
As I continue to question the credibility of the FIBA Secretariat, I am also left to wonder why the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), a FIBA member since 1936, is being persecuted when it has never violated any provision of the FIBA General Statutes.
 
You may want to look at the FIBA General Statutes and see if there had been any violation committed by the BAP at any time (proof is the letter of Baumann dated August 30, 2005).
 
I know you have been complaining of the preparation, time and money spent for the FIBA Special Commission meetings. Did you also think of the suffering you inflicted on the BAP through the last four years?
 
If, by chance, we meet in the future, I hope you can provide the answers with utmost honesty.
 
My battle for what is right, just and truthful continues.
 
God bless you. Take care.
 
Truly yours,
 
 
Graham C. Lim
Secretary General
Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP)
 
cc.    Members of FIBA Special Commission
        FIBA Sub-Zone Members
        Chinese Overseas Brotherhoods Ltd
 
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