BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Alarmed by the controversy spawned by the losses of the Iloilo/Philippine team in the Little League Softball World Series in the United States, Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 officer-in-charge John Arnold Siena vowed to look into the role of the Division of Iloilo personnel in “riding” on the games to obtain US visa and travel there at unofficial government expense.
High school and elementary school girls from Zarraga, Iloilo represented the Philippines in softball competitions in Portland, Oregon (Aug. 7 to 13) and Kirkland, Washington (Aug. 10 to 16), respectively, but lost all of their games, placing 10th or last of the 10 entries.
The role of DepEd division superintendent Dr. Myrna Castillo as organizer became questionable when the Commission on Audit (COA) rejected as “unofficial” her solicitations for funds for the Little League Softball World Series, it being a non-government international sports activity not recognized by DepEd.
Siena disclosed that he only learned about the controversy in Panay News (online edition) over the weekend since no formal report had been submitted to DepEd Region 6.
Yesterday, he instructed Castillo to submit a report about it within the week.
The delegation officials were either employees of the division office or their sons and daughters — including Marian Grace Castillo Suiza and Nonie Mark Castillo, daughter and son of the division superintendent. The six “coaches” listed were not really coaches. Ironically, the only real coach, Rey Fuentes of Bacolod City, had been bumped off.
Siena said DepEd Region 6 will conduct an inquiry as to what really happened after he will have received Castillo’s report.
For now, he would rather not make prejudgments. He would first wait the result of the investigation before giving recommendation.
“Objectively, wala pa ko kabalo kon ano ang matuod sina,” said Siena when asked about family members of DepEd officials who also stood as delegates during the World Series. “Part of the family is not part of the team. They should have been on their own.”
Siena also emphasized that they had no control on private persons who joined the delegation. But in so far as DepEd is concerned, there is a list of official delegates recommended by the Division Office.
Siena clarified, however, that the DepEd central office had granted the division officials authority to travel for the softball games
Panay News yesterday obtained a list of delegation officials and athletes who participated in the Little League Softball World Series.
The listed officials in the Washington delegation were Dr. Myrna Castillo, delegation head; Gregorio Brazas, deputy head; Rex Velarde Jr., local government representative; Marian Grace Castillo Suiza, finance officer; Antonio Oquindo, team manager; and Ruby Therese Palmaira, assistant team manager.
Listed as coaches were Josefa Marie Palmes, Angelyn Debulgado and Lina Dordas.
The Oregon delegation included Gilbert Solidum as delegation head; Cristina Testigo, food coordinator; Ma. Fe Sumaculub, team manager; and Jerrylfin Geroche, assistant team manager.
Listed as coaches were Bebian Deala, Danilo Estanda Jr. and Nonie Mark Castillo.
Including 24 players, there were 40 members of the two delegations.
Expenses for the US trips were sourced from public and private funds./PN
