Puyat's Protest letter to Baumann

Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat II

Letter Address to Patrick Baumann
In protest of your inconsistency, I would like to put on record that Bangkok Agreement was just a smokescreen to discredit the BAP in favor of the fledgling SBP organization that you decided to join forces with.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------October 21, 2010

Mr. Patrick Baumann
Secretary General
FIBA
 
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​CC:      All FIBA Members, ASIA, AFRICA, AMERICAS, EUROPE, OCEANIA
            Borislav Stankovic, Former FIBA secretary general
            Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani, FIBA Asia President
            Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, FIBA Asia Secretary General
            FIBA Central Board Members/BAP Executive Board

Dear Patrick,

I would like to bring to your kind attention the Bangkok Agreement between the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

The agreement was brokered and initiated by you in an effort the basketball leadership in the Philippines and for FIBA to lift the country’s suspension which you unilaterally imposed without a Board decision.

The signing of the Bangkok Agreement was also witnessed by the FIBA Asia President, Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani, and FIBA Asia Secretary General Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock.

In protest of your inconsistency, I would like to put on record that Bangkok Agreement was just a smokescreen to discredit the BAP in favor of the fledgling SBP organization that you decided to join forces with.

Since it was you who responsible for the merger through the infamous Bangkok Agreement that was incessantly disrespected and violated. I urge you to re-study the agreement since your subsequent actuations have verified the good name of the BAP, which has been in good standing with the FIBA family since 1936.

Obviously, you called for the merger to accommodate the entry of the wealthy but fledgling SBP organization and the abolition of the tradition-steeped BAP.
            Additionally, I would like to address this issue of autonomy. It’s agreed that the FIBA is composed of FIBA-Asia, FIBA-Europe, FIBA-Africa, FIBA-America, and FIBA-Oceania. As such, each continental region is governed by its own rules and regulations.

I respectfully state that the FIBA Sub-Zones (or continental zones) are autonomous in nature and have a life of their own. Therefore, utmost respect and dignity must be accorded to all the FIBA members within their continents.

The fate of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) was unjustly sealed when you disregarded the authority and decision powers of FIBA-Asia by not honouring an approved resolution by FIBA Asia to lift the BAP’s suspension in June 2006.

Such unilateral action is an unwelcomed encroachment on a matter or issue that is purely internal and must be settled only among FIBA-Asia members.

I am deeply concerned that your one-sided decisions (favouring the SBP every turn of the way in exchange for marketing and other considerations) have severely tainted the credibility and integrity of the FIBA as a whole. Sad to say, you have placed the FIBA in a bad light.

Rest assured that the BAP will exhaust all legal means to rectify the damage you have inflicted on the institution during your watch. For that matter, FIBA-Asia will act accordingly on the Bangkok Agreement scandal and will not be cowed into submission simply to give in to your caprice and hidden agenda. 

I only wish that you re-visit and study once again the issues contained in the Bangkok Agreement. Unless the violations are rectified, the issue of which group has the rightful claim to the basketball leadership in the Philippines will remain in doubt.

Again, I reiterate that FIBA Sub-Zones (or Continental Zones) are autonomous in nature. Their independence must be respected by the FIBA Secretariat, specifically your office, at all times.

Thank you very much. Hope to hear from you soon. 
Sincerely,
GONZALO “LITO” G. PUYAT II
Two-Time Elected FIBA President, 1976-80, 1980-84
Chairman Emeritus, Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP)

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