The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Cebu City is facing allegations of failing to pay referees for their services during the Sugbo Cup basketball tournament. The Metro Cebu Basketball Referees Association (MCBRA) has come forward with a complaint, seeking assistance from media personality Atty. Ruphil Banoc of dyHP to facilitate the release of their long-overdue compensation.
Unpaid Fees Amount to Over Half a Million Pesos
According to MCBRA secretary Percival Porlas, the total amount owed to the officiating officials for Season 3 of the Sugbo Cup, which concluded on September 29, 2025, is approximately P530,200. The SK Federation, led by Rhea Jakosalem, has only made an initial payment of P100,000, distributed in two installments. The last payment was received on July 12, 2025, and since then, no further disbursements have been made.
Requirements and Delays
Porlas explained that the referees were initially asked to submit scoresheets, attendance records, and other requirements, with a promise that payment would be released after two months. However, as time passed, additional requirements were requested, including valid IDs and biodata, raising concerns among the officials. Despite complying with the initial requirements, the referees have not received the balance despite repeated follow-ups.
Attempts to contact SK Chairman Rhea Jakosalem have been unsuccessful. Staff from Atty. Banoc's office tried to reach her, but calls went unanswered. On a second attempt, the call appeared to be hung up, suggesting possible monitoring by the SK Federation that may be avoiding the issue.
Questions of Anomaly
The situation has raised suspicions of irregularities. Some MCBRA members were reportedly asked to provide barangay indigency certificates by the SK Federation. This has led to questions about whether the indigency fund is being misused to pay referees, which would be a violation of its intended purpose. The delay in payment seems excessive, and the SK Federation's avoidance of the issue suggests a reluctance to pay for services rendered.
Porlas emphasized that while government processes are known to be slow, the prolonged delay and lack of communication indicate a possible anomaly. He called for an investigation by Mayor Nestor Archival to ensure that funds meant for aid are not being diverted for other purposes.
The MCBRA is urging the SK Federation to settle the outstanding payments promptly. The referees have fulfilled their duties and deserve to be compensated for their time and effort in ensuring fair play during the tournament.
