NCFP Under Attack! From Inside

I was in the middle of writing my NSW State Championships report when suddenly this letter came to my inbox. It came from Sammy Estimo, executive director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, and addressed to Manny Benitez, editor of an RP chess rag called "The Weekender".

This is so hot that I have to put Aussie matters temporarily on hold. I quote Mr Estimo's letter below in full without alteration.

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Dear Sir:

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is a queer sports association with identity problems. Its official address in its Articles of Incorporation has been abandoned without any board resolution effecting the same. Except when it banned some prominent players, the NCFP board of directors has not met with a quorum since it was treacherously organized in March, 2006. The NCFP is now facing a suit because of the questionable banning of the players. One director was also sued for libel over the same issue.

During his time, FIDE Honorary Chair Florencio Campomanes always consulted the old PCF board on important policy matters. It was the lawful thing for him to do despite the presence then of “rebel” directors in the PCF.

It is different today. Only 2 or 3 directors consult each other and decide the fate of Philippine Chess, never mind the suggestions of the majority members of the board.

The NCFP is the only organization in the world whose executive director is the last to know about the program of activities of his own federation. It is actually being managed by a busybody director who has no mandate from the board, but is cleverly taking advantage of the understandable “silence” of its generous president. This director takes his orders from Russia and from Tagaytay City. He has also headed all delegations to international chess competitions using funds of the federation and from financial assistance given by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Local grandmasters are complaining about their unequal treatment vis-à-vis their foreign counterparts competing in our shores. Local arbiters are also ruing the employment of foreign arbiters in our own tournaments when there are enough of them who are equally, if not, more qualified. Local players lament the disappearance of national events with rich prizes just to accommodate international tournaments, all of which were won by foreign GMs. And FIDE ratings of local players appear or disappear depending on how their images project on the radar screen of a Russia-based NCFP director.

The NCFP today is a rudderless sports boat!

Very truly,

ATTY. SAMUEL D. ESTIMO
NCFP Executive Director

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Exciting stuff ahead for RP chess but not for the right reasons. Can this derail recent improvements in the local chess scene in the Philippines? Let's hope not for that would be a real tragedy.