With JAO signed, GAB ready to enforce protocols

“For the Games and Amusements Board, the joint administrative order is what they need for professional sports to finally commence their business after a long lockdown brought by the coronavirus pandemic, even if it was extended to two more weeks today.

It that document that empowered chairman Abraham Mitra after gracing the latest edition of the Philippine Sportswriters' Association Forum Tuesday morning, as he sent the message loud and clear to all involved: follow the rules.

Under the said JAO, signed with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Health, states that the GAB will be the sole authority when it comes to leagues such as the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippines Football League as well as professional combat sports such as boxing and Mixed Martial Arts, with sanctions are waiting for those who are even attempting to violate the health protocols.

“Since meron nang JAO and sa amin na ibinigay yung load, kami na ang mag-i-impose ng sanctions,” he said. “In case something happens and there may be violations, we will be there.” 

Mitra then amped up the threat with repeated violations would lead to a perpetual revocation of the GAB license.

With the said JAO, the training sessions are now allowed for basketball, football and other professional sports duly licensed by GAB, but it had to face another 14-day delay when the National Capital Region and CALABARZON went into a modified lockdown.

Still, Mitra commends the PFL and the PBA for cooperating with them and self-regulated its ranks making their jobs lighter and easier.

“So far, yung mga leagues naman sila na mismo (ang kumikilos),” he then said. “Nauunahan parati ang GAB, kasi kami we want to hear both sides, we want due process. And we’re doing several things.”

With only PBA's Blackwater being the most guilty violator before the JAO signing, GAB only issued just a caution to the ballclub after the league already handed them a hefty fine.

“We always believe in self-regulation. Nandiyan lang kami kung kailangan ninyo kami.”

Photo: Philippine Sportswriters' Association