Narvasa out as commish? That's "acting on a whim" says Non

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By Ivan Saldajeno

LOS BAÑOS--Robert Non, San Miguel's representative to the PBA Board of Governors, blasted the move made by seven of his fellow governors that effectively cut short Chito Narvasa's tenure as commissioner.

"They cannot just act on a whim. What they are doing is not in accordance with our by-laws and constitution," Non said in a statement on behalf of the five other governors who opted not to attend the emergency board meeting called by NLEX representative Ramocito Fernandez on Thursday.

Non even cited the history of the two commissioners who came before Chito Salud, the one Narvasa succeeded as commissioner, saying that the ouster of Noli Eala and Sonny Barrios also came at a whim.

Fernandez and the governors from fellow MVP Group teams TNT and Meralco, Alaska, Blackwater, Rain Or Shine, and Phoenix moved not to renew Narvasa's term as commissioner for one more season and appointed Rickie Santos, the current deputy, as OIC.

[Related Story: NARVASA OUT | PBA Board ends Commissioner's tenure in emergency meeting]

However, the SMC umbrella, GlobalPort, and Kia issued their joint support for Narvasa.

"All five teams–San Miguel, Ginebra, Star, Kia and GlobalPort–stand behind Commissioner Narvasa. He enjoys our full support and we have prevailed upon him to stay and do what is right," Non's statement continued.

Non then reiterated the eight-vote rule that is needed whether to impeach or keep Narvasa as commish for another year.

"These officials do not constitute the majority needed to remove or appoint the commissioner and thereafter, make any changes in the PBA structure," he further said.

Non further hit out at what he tagged as the "renegade bloc", saying, "Without this clear majority, all changes being made by these renegade members are not allowed, including the appointment of Rickie Santos as officer-in-charge, and would not be binding on the whole board membership. This includes as well the misrepresentation of NLEX board member Ramon Fernandez as PBA chairman, when in fact, the sitting chairman is still Globalport’s Mikee Romero."

Non concluded his statement, "If we allow that (the removal of Narvasa) to happen, then this will weaken the Commissioner’s Office and turn it into a puppet of whoever is the most powerful among the team owners."

Narvasa called for a press conference later Thursday regarding his future as commissioner.

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