PBA to invite Arwind on bigamy raps

By Nelson Beltran
Philippine Star
Saturday, October 6, 2007

Air21 player Arwind Santos has been summoned by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios to give his side on the bigamy and abandonment charges filed against him.

At the same time, lawyer Erwin Aguilera said Santos, a former FEU star who made it to the Mythical Second Team in his rookie season in the PBA last year, should face the same consequence suffered by the former PBA commissioner for committing the same offense.

Aguilera has twice written the PBA a letter of complaint citing Santos’ alleged immorality.

Santos is facing bigamy charges before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office while abandonment and demand for financial support were filed at the Batangas regional trial court.

“Actually, I had invited Arwind to a meeting but he’s abroad. I’ll invite him again to ask his position,” said Barrios.

Barrios, however, stressed that he’s considering the player innocent until proven otherwise.

“Since it’s already filed in the courts, let’s just wait the verdict. But in my book, Arwind is innocent until proven guilty,” said Barrios, adding, however, that he’ll also consult with league legal counsel Melvin Mendoza.

Aguilera said bigamy charges have been filed against Santos by his wife, Karyn Mae, before prosecutor Eva Portugal Atienza of Pasig City. In her complaint, the wife alleged that following their Sept. 24, 2005 civil wedding in San Juan City, Santos tied the knot eight days later with Yvette Aiza Gavieres in Pasay City.

Karyn Mae, who bore a daughter with Arwind, also filed an abandonment case against her husband before the regional trial court in Batangas City after the PBA player failed to provide support for leaving their home in January 2006.

Magnolia’s Danny Seigle and Ginebra’s Billy Mamaril are players likely to be summoned for figuring in a fight in their tune-up game Wednesday.

“We don’t condone player fights. I heard about it but not yet see the official report. I’ll check with our technical group,” said Barrios.

Meanwhile, board chairman Tony Chua said they’ll start working on the selection process for the next commissioner as he convenes the special selection committee Tuesday.

Chua said the first order is to draft the selection criteria as he meets other committee members Joaqui Trillo, Robert Non, Ricky Vargas and Lito Alvarez.

Barrios, the long-time PBA executive director, is working as commissioner on an interim basis or until the board finds the man to permanently take over from Eala.