Congress tells GAB: Collect PBA dues at once

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Lower House urged the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to immediately collect its share from television and radio revenues of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) or force the country’s biggest sports entertainment event to suspend its operations.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., chair of the House committee on games and amusement, said Wednesday the GAB should compel the PBA to fulfill its dues since the law obliged it to diligently pay three percent of its TV and radio contract to the government.

“I think the GAB should take drastic actions if the PBA continues to renege on its obligations to the government,” said Barzaga.

GAB commissioner Fritz Gaston said he has already issued a statement of account to the PBA for obligations for the third and fourth quarters of last year.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud said the league failed to remit GAB’s share in time because its broadcast partner, TV5 of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, has failed to pay its obligations.

But Barzaga said TV5’s shortcoming was the PBA’s problem and that the league should still pay its dues.

“I believe the GAB has the power to suspend the PBA games if the PBA does not pay its dues to the government,” said Barzaga.