In accordance with the practice in the entire governmental machinery, the accomplishment report of the Games and Amusements Board was submitted to the Office of the President not long after the end of the previous calendar year.

Considered highlights of the said report are the following accomplishments of the various operating organizational units of the Board:

A. Pro-Basketball and Other Pro-Games

1. Processing and issuance of 378 professional basketball, 191 professional golf, 84 professional billiard, 149 professional cycling and 1 professional tennis licenses;

2. Regulation and supervision of 251 pro-basketball games, 16 pro-golf tournaments, 8 pro-billiard competitions and 5 pro-cycling tours;

3. Submission to the proper foreign athletic bodies recommendations for the participation of Filipino professional billiard players in tournaments held abroad, particularly in the United States, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and Southeast Asia;

4. Attendance in congressional committees in the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives concerning professional sports and games;

5. Attendance and participation, upon invitation, in organizational meetings, dialogues and symposia of professional sports associations under its supervision such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), Senior Professional Golfers’ Association of the Philippines, Philippine Cue Billiard Council (PCBC), Philippine Professional Table Tennis Federation (PPTF), Sports and Entertainment Management, Inc. (FEARLESS), Philippine Association of Mixed Martial Arts (URCC) and Philippine National Cycling Association. Included in this aspect of participation is the provision of technical assistance in the formulation and revision of rules and regulations, redefinition of mandates and delineation of the roles of the GAB vis-à-vis the particular sports discipline concerned.

6. Total income arising from the collection of fees and charges during the previous year, including the 3% GAB share in basketball and billiard games gate receipts, TV coverage and radio rights, was P9,783,840.35

7. Field and Extension Offices – Income realized from issuance of permits and licenses and share in gross gate receipts amounted to P56,328.00 broken down as follows: P44,808.00 (Bacolod Extension Office), P960.00 (Cebu Field Office), P9,600.00 (Cagayan de Oro Field Office) and P960.00 (Davao Extension Office).

8. OBSERVATIONS - A shortfall in actual accomplishments compared to previously targeted results was evident in year 2003. This could be attributed mainly to the unexpected demise of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) on account of acute financial straits. However, in absolute figures, the number of licenses issued in CY 2003 surpassed the targets set by 7%. This was seen as the noteworthy consequence of the renaissance of professional cycling in the country, particularly the re-staging of the Marlboro Tour, which used to be an annual summer sports classic, and its conversion into a nationwide Tour of Pilipinas. Billiard was likewise at its busiest year, with the number of licenses issued up by 55% over the previous year’s figures.

B. BOXING and WRESTLING

1. Staging of the following international boxing championships:

a. OPBF super featherweight at Lapu-lapu City - Randy Suico of the Philippines defeated, Timberl Hutsgalung of Indonesia;

b. PABA light-flyweight championship at Mandaluyong City - Filipino Rolly Lunas won over Thai Deeden Kangkarron;

c. PABA light-flyweight championship at Ormor City - RP’s Marvin Tampur triumphed over Thailand’ Kaichon Sor Vorapin;

d. WBC International super-flyweight championship at Antipolo City - Filipino Malcolm Tunacao defeated Indonesian Ringgo Jaguar.

e. PABA light flyweight championship at Bataan Province - RP’s Rolly Lunas won over Thailand’s Rhesis Var Surnpol.

2. Recommendations for the upgrading of ratings of Filipino pugilists and their inclusion in the periodic rankings of the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, OPBF and PABA.

3. Unannounced and no-nonsense inspection of gymnasiums in the metropolis where professional boxers are undergoing training.

4. Attendance in the annual convention of the WBA at Bali, Indonesia, September 23-29, 2003, the WBC/OPBF at Moscow, Russia October 5-10, 2003, and the WBO at Miami, Florida, U.S.A., November 2-8, 2003.

5. Strict implementation of medical measures with the end in view of providing ample protection to boxers while in the ring and minimizing injuries and other hazards to their lives and limbs.

6. Processing, verification and approval of 210 bouts of Filipino boxers held in foreign countries.

7. Processing and verification of applications for licenses - 861 (target – 850); physical/medical examinations conducted - 739 (target – 708); issuance of licenses - 610 (target – 575); Permits verified and processed – 145 (target – 145); permits for the holding of boxing promotions - 144 (target – 145); bouts supervised - 745 (target – 760); boxing results submitted - 144 (target – 145)

8. Mixed martial arts - Licenses issued: fighters – 89; promoters – 3; manager – 1; judges – 8; referees – 12; trainer – 1; timekeeper – 1; matchmakers – 3; and announcer – 2. Total – 200.

9. 2003 Income - boxer’s licenses - P304,700.00; mixed martial arts licenses - P71,800.00; boxing and mixed martial arts permits; BMC registration, international licenses 5% penalty charges, 3% share on gate receipts and 3% TV rights - P652,757.70

C. HORSE RACE BETTING SUPERVISION

In calendar year 2003, the combined total gross sales of the Manila Jockey Cub, Inc. (MJCI) and the Philippine Racing Club, Inc. (PRCI) amounted to P7,531,923,864.00, an increase of P733,670,132.00 or 10.8% vis-à-vis the total chalked up during the previous year.

Of the said amount P1,008,704,728.87 went to government coffers, again registering a hefty rise of P91,719,921.62 or 11% compared with the 2002 figures.

It is pitiable to note that, out of this staggering sum, GAB’s share was a measly P131,088.83, not even sufficient to cover payment of the salaries of personnel assigned therin.

The above notwithstanding, GAB’s performance of its mandated functions in the tremendously popular sports of horse racing manifested not even the slightest trace of slackening as may be gleaned from the following:

1. Pari-mutuel sales supervised, examined and verified - 5,944 (versus target of 2,930).

2. Daily double sales supervised, examined and verified - 5,120 (target – 4,545).

3. Quartet sales supervised, examined and verified - 657 (target – 2,114).

4. Forecast sales supervised, examined and verified - 2,993 (target – 2,630).

5. Trifecta sales supervised, examined and verifed - 502 (target – 400).

6. Winner-take-all sales supervised, examined and verified - 391 (target – 320).

7. Pick-6 sales supervised, examined and verified - 417 (target – 277).

8. Double quinella sales supervised, examined and verified - 84 (target – 270).

9. Double plus one sales, supervised, examined and verified - 1,212 (target – 480).

10. Pentafecta sales supervised, examined and verified - 1,112 (targer – 240).

11. Pick 5 sales supervised, examined and verified - 254

12. Super 6 sales supervised, examined and verified - 396 (target – 32).

13. Superfecta sales supervised, examined and verified - 63

14. Triple trifecta sales supervised, examined and verified - 25

On the other hand, collections from the two racing clubs for GAB permits for the operation of off-track betting stations totaled P485,250 for 196 MJCI and 176 PRCI OTBs.

D. International Cockfight Derbies

Four (4) international cockfight derbies were held in 2003 from which the Board realized an income of P434,988.00 representing personnel registration, application and permit, import permit and derby assessment fees.

With the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) as the beneficiary, these 2003 derbies were held at Mandaluyong Coliseum on January 7, 9 and 11; Araneta Coliseum on January 20, 22 and 24; and on June 16, 18 and 20 and at the Cavite Coliseum on December 1, 3 and 5.

E. ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING UNIT

Although hampered by the non-release of allocation for its operations from Fund 151 of the Board and by the deferment of the detail hereto of PNP personnel, which prevented the Unit from performing its functions during the entire first quarter, GAB-AIGU managed to bounce back from this initial demoralizing situation and, at the end of the year, came up with accomplishments exceeding its annual targets. This fact is clearly demonstrated by the following:

1. Number of surveillance activities conducted - 63 (target – 50);

2. Number of search and seizure operations made - 34 (target – 30);

3. Number of persons arrested - 83 (target – 70); and

4. Number of cases filed and prosecute - 21 (target – 20)

Anti-illegal gambling surveillances and operations were conducted mainly in the National Capital Region - Manila, Quezon City, Pasay City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City and the CAMANAVA area. Confiscated during these raids were TV sets, telephones, cash money, cell phones, calculators and assorted gambling paraphernalia.
There were, however, unconfirmed reports that GAB-AIGU was being used by some unscrupulous elements masquerading as AIGU operatives and conducting spurious raids on illegal booking joints to fatten their pockets and that some law enforcement authorities are coddling illegal syndicates and operators for the same reason.

F. Medical Service

For the optimum protection of professional athletes, new medical requirements were imposed by the Board effective 2003 in connection with the grant of new and renewal of old licenses. Foremost among these are drug tests for marijuana and amphetamines and hepatitis B surface antigen, and brain CT Scan for such contact sports as boxing, mixed martial arts and basketball.

The accomplishments of this unit during CY 2003 included the following:

1. Medical examinations conducted on professional players and officials:

a. Basketball - 276
b. Golf - 91
c. Billiard - 49
d. Cycling - 85
e. Boxing - 304
f. Boxing trainer, second, judge, and referee - 64
g. Boxing promoter - 5
h. Mixed martial arts - 103
i. Mixed martial arts promoter - 2

2. Pre-bout and post-bout medical examinations - 922

3. Boxing promotions - 35

4. Medical consultations (GAB officials & employees, dependents and athletes) - 1,254

5. Medical clearance for boxers to fight abroad - 262

In addition to the above, medical updates were conducted during sports forum, medical tips imparted during every weigh-in, boxing equipment meticulously inspected prior to the scheduled fights and suspension strictly observed for boxers losing by knock-out and suffering concussive injuries as a result thereof.
In this connection, it cannot be disputed that attendance of its key medical officers in relevant local conference and conventions abroad has enabled the Board to be at par with its counterpart agencies in foreign countries, particularly insofar as the provision of adequate medical measures for professional athletes is concerned.

G. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Among the various accomplishments of GAB’s Personnel Section during the previous year are the following:

1. Productivity pay of P2,000.00 each was granted to the officials and employees of the Board as an annual incentive based on GAB’s Performance Evaluation System;

2. Processing of retirement applications and terminal leave claims of two (2) employees;

3. Processing of the death claim of one (1) employee;

4. Grant of Plaques of Appreciation (Loyalty Awards) to four (4) employees;

5. Awarding step increments to seventy (70) employee;

6. Preparation and processing of appointments of sixteen (16) employees;

7. Hiring of five (5) emergency/casual employees;

8. Promotion of seven (7) employees;

9. Renewal of the contracts of five (5) consultants;

10. Holding of a seminar-workshop on the topic “Service Plus” at the GAB Central Office on December 11, 2003, with Ms. Ma. Pilar B. Enriquez of the SGV Development Dimensions International as the resource person and attended by the officials and employees of the Board.

H. Field./Extension Offices

1. Cebu City

a. A total income for 2003 was P117,038.95, slightly lower than the P130,275.50 collected in 2002 which, incidentally, featured three (3) big boxing promotions at the Waterfront Hotel.

b. The Boxers’ Relief Fund collected in 2003 amounted to P41,241.50.

c. Ten (10) new boxers, three (3) mixed martial arts fighters and one (1) mixed martial arts trainer were issued, upon application, submission of requirements and payment of the prescribed fees, professional licenses.

d. Licenses renewed totaled 137.

e. Twenty-seven (27) boxing promotion were supervised.

f. Seasoned boxer John Eman Juarez died as a result of severe body and head injuries suffered during a fight with neophyte Rocky Fuentes on December 28, 2003.

2. Bacolod City

a. Holding of a Sports Forum at Bacolod City on August 22, 2003, and at Iloilo City on December 5, 2003. Both were well-attended. Chairman Villanueva, Commissioners Bautista and Palabrica and Chief Medical Officer Nasser V. Cruz acted as resource persons.

b. Assistance in the supervision of three (3) PBA games - March 8, 2003, Iloilo City, March 15, 2003, Bago City, and October 18, 2003, Bacolod City.

c. Supervision of a boxing promotion at Guimbal, Iloilo, and another at Sum-ag, Bacolod City, both of which were attended by the Chairman.

d. Supervision of a billiard competition at the Bacolod Pavilion Resort Hotel, won by Francisco “Django” Bustamante over Efren “Bata” Reyes.

e. Total collection for 2003 was P69,424.20:

a. Basketball - P56,756.53
b. Boxing - 1,863.00
c. Billiard - 3,784.00
d. Permits & Licenses - 7,020.00

3. Cagayan de Oro City

a. Collections increased from P119,426.00 calendar year 2002 to P131,780.00 in 2003.

b. The number of boxing promotions supervised in CY 2003 was 58, compared with 39 in 2002, or an increase of 19 promotions.

c. A ring fatality was recorded during the year. Professional boxer Freddie Gimay died as a consequence of injuries inflicted on him during a fight in Titay, Zamboanga on October 29, 2003.

4. Davao City

a. Total revenues for the year amounted to P37,200.00 with the first quarter accounting for P19,200.00 for more than 60% of the annual collection.

b. 65 professional licenses and 12 permits were issued.

c. 12 boxing promotions were supervised, with the venues thereof almost evenly spread among the various provinces comprising the region such as Tampekan (South Cotabato), Kidapawan City, Davao City, Magpaet (North Cotabato), Koronadal City, Diwalwal, Monkayo (Compostela Valley), Gen. Santos City and Glan (Saranggani)

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS ATTENDED

A. 8th PABA General Assembly
Bali, Indonesia
September 24, 2003

- Chairman Educardo Villanueva
- Commissioner Emmanuel Palabrica
- Boxing & Wrestling Chief Emmanuel C. Flores and
- Chief Medical Officer Nasser V. Cruz

B. WBC 40th Annual World Convention
Moscow, Russia
October 4-10, 2003

- Chairman Eduardo Villanueva
- Commissioner Angel P. Bautista
- Mr. Flores and
- Dr. Cruz

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND APPROVED IN 2003

During calendar year 2003, the Games and Amusements Board adopted and approved the following Resolutions:

Resolution 03-01. “Adopting requirements concerning the attachment of colored stickers on betting machines used by the Manila Jockey Club, Inc. and the Philippine Racing Club, Inc.”

Resolution 03-02. “Adopting an additional policy on the application for renewal of permit to operate OTB station.”

Resolution 03-03. “Granting priority assignments to licensees who attended GAB seminars.”

Resolution 03-06. “Adopting a schedule of penalty for professional basketball players who are tested positive for prohibited drugs.”

Resolution 03-14. “Adopting an additional policy on the application for boxing promotion permit.” Re: Promoter’s obligation to GAB particularly boxer’s purse and TV rights.

Resolution 03-16. “Approving the recognition of the sport Mixed Martial Arts under the supervision of the Boxing and Wrestling Division of the Games and Amusements Board, the issuance of the rules and regulations governing professional Mixed Martial Arts in the Philippines and the accreditation of the Philippine Association of Mixed Martial Arts (URCC) and Sports and Entertainment Management, Inc. (FEARLESS)

Resolution 03-17. “Imposing an additional requirement for Filipino boxers fighting abroad. Re: to avoid mismatches and eliminate the possibility of deaths and unnecessary injuries in the ring.”

Resolution 03-19. “Approving the mandatory and random drug testing for all applicants and licensees of the GAB.”

Resolution 03-20. “Granting to the GAB the power of automatic review over decisions and rulings of important significance of all professional sports organizations.”

Resolution 03-21. “Approving the additional rule on circumstance when an immediate rematch is applied or ordered in the rules and regulations governing professional boxing in the Philippines.”

Resolution 03-22. “Approving the amendment of the guidelines for the issuance of GAB authorization for GAB-licensed boxers to travel abroad to fight in a foreign boxing promotion.”

Resolution 03-23. “Approving the additional rule on circumstance when an “immediate rematch” is applied or ordered, in the rules and regulations governing the professional boxing in the Philippines.”

Resolution 03-26. “Adopting additional procedures in suspending boxers and holding boxing promoters/managers responsible for furnishing the Board the correct and exact addresses of boxers under their supervision.”

Resolution 03-27. “Requiring all licensed professional players/athletes to submit to the Board their correct addresses, the addresses of members of their immediate families and telephone numbers of their contact persons.”

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