Am I the only one?

I used to be excited over the South East Asian (SEA) Games. Now, for some reason, I find myself uninterested in it at all. All the more disturbing is my lack of enthusiasm even though the games are currently taking place right here in the Philippines.

In case you're not familiar with the SEA Games, it's a biennial meet first established in 1958 for the purpose of promoting friendship among the different countries in Southeast Asia. Its member states include Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines.

The last time the Philippines hosted these games was way back in 1991, fourteen years ago. And now it's here again, but somehow, something's amiss. And its not just with the games themselves.

First of all, basketball is not included in the SEA Games. Basketball, the most popular sport in the country, is simply not among the events to be held in the games. Why? It's a complicated story to say the least.

Last April, the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) adopted a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) resolution regarding the formation of a national team to be composed of players coming from the both the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). In May, the BAP backed out of its committment to the POC resolution, prompting the POC to impose an indefinite suspension to the BAP. For its part, the BAP supposedly pooh-poohed the suspension, believing it to be of little consequence as long as it has the backing of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). This action of the BAP resulted in the POC expelling them from their ranks by June. This led to the FIBA suspending the Philippines from participating in and/or hosting any international basketball event. Further complicating the controversy is the emergence of a new basketball entity, the Philippine Basketball Federation, which is reported to be interested in taking over the BAP's position in the POC. When the PBF was presented by the POC to the FIBA for recognition, FIBA flatly rejected the PBF.

Where does this leave us? It leaves the Philippines unable to participate in international basketball meets as long the the FIBA suspension is in effect. This obviously includes the SEA Games. So, for the first time in 46 years, there is no basketball in the SEA Games. All because of politicking within the ranks of the country's governing basketball bodies. Talk about political wrangling at its worst. We're probably the laughing stock of the international basketball community, unable to agree even among ourselves what direction Philippine basketball should take. And because of our inability to resolve our own differences, not only Philippine basketball fans have suffered, but basketball fans in all the other SEA Games member countries have suffered as well.

Secondly, former COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano ironically chose this point in time to reveal himself to the entire country, after five months of hiding. Not only has he diverted attention from the SEA Games, his return resurrects the controversy regarding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's alleged cheating in the 2004 elections. At a time where we should be putting our best foot forward in honor of our guests for the SEA Games, we are exposing all our dirty linen for the international community to see.

I have heard and read Garcillano's statements denying any involvement to alleged electoral fraud in the past elections. But it seems rather anti-climactic considering that he has been in hiding for the past five months. He also denies being out of the country, despite earlier reports that he indeed left. Something definitely smells fishy. If he is indeed innocent, why not proclaim his innocence five months ago? Why only now? If he isn't guilty of any wrongdoing, why hide in the first place? So many questions, not enough answers. Somehow I believe that we've only just begun to scratch the surface, and there is definitely more than meets the eye in this recent turn of events.

Is this our lot in life as Filipinos? To be forever victims of politics, hypocrisy, and lies? Everyone claims to be doing what's best for our country, everyone claims to be fighting for the truth, but it seems as if we're never really getting any closer to the bottom of things, or getting things done at all. The basketball brouhaha and the Garcillano return are prime examples of two such events, and both of them leave a bad taste in the mouth.

All of these issues seemingly take a lot away from the spirit of the SEA Games, which is rather unfortunate. This is supposedly a time for our athletes to shine, instead of their efforts playing second fiddle to politics. And yet, that is precisely what is happening.

I guess it can't be helped. This is the Philippines after all, for better or for worse. All we can do is wish our athletes well, and hope they bring home the gold.

Politics notwithstanding.

So...am I really the only one?