FORMER first Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Joey Romasanta has warned the International Volleyball Federation that it faces legal action unless it returns the $80,000 (roughly P3.8 million) the LVPI gave to gain recognition as the National Sports Association for volleyball in the country.
Romasanta, the LVPI president, made the demand in a letter submitted last Tuesday, May 4, to FIVB president Dr. Ary Graca through FIVB director general Fabio Azevedo.
“Enough has been said upon the matter to no avail and your unresponsive attitude towards LVPI,” Romasanta wrote. “Should FIVB continue not to heed our demands, we shall be forced to take the unfortunate route of seeking the appropriate judicial intervention to our quest for justice and financial restitution.”
Romasana reminded the world volleyball body that the LVPI had sent a previous letter last Jan. 12 regarding the issue, pointing out the LVPI had complied with the conditions the FIVB and the Asian Volleyball Confederation set in gaining recognition from both bodies.
“The LVPI was able to comply and honor its obligation commensurate to a perfected contract which we deemed proper to rectify the injustice done to LVPI by FIVB,” Romasanta said.
In the letter, Romasanta attached a photo copy of a letter by Graca on May 18, 2015 recognizing LVPI as the NSA for volleyball in the Philippines.
“We are pleased to inform you that the FIVB Board of Administration decided in its meeting on 12 May to approve the affiliation of the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. as member of the FIVB. We would like to welcome you to the volleyball family and wish you every success,” Graca wrote.
The payment of $80,000 to the FIVB, which were debts incurred by the Philippine Volleyball Federation, was one of the major pre-conditions stipulated by the FIVB and AVC for the LVPI to be recognized by both international volleyball organizations.
“The non-refund of (the) FIVB-imposed US$80,000 and the other expenses incurred will further add to the unfairness we suffered in supporting the programs in upgrading Philippine volleyball as well as AVC and FIVB events,” Romasanta said.
