PHILIPPINE National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Frank Lao took full responsibility as the issue of unpaid allowances of national volleyball players erupted on Sunday at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Elevated to the top of the country’s national sports association for volleyball on August 10, Lao inherited what he described as a financially crippled organization following a controversial leadership change and a chaotic transition.
READ: Alas Men, Women players claim paying for own expenses at Asiad
That period saw the ouster of Tats Suzara, federation president since January 2023, in elections held shortly after the concurrent Asian Volleyball Confederation head oversaw the country's hosting of the FIVB World Men's Volleyball Championship.
Suzara’s successor, Tonyboy Liao, only assumed the post for nine months before being replaced by Lao following the PNVF's suspension by the world governing body for volleyball.
The massive PNVF debts, sources said, were carried over from Suzara's term as president.
Lao said that since he began supporting sports, this is the first time he has been involved in a massive controversy, particularly one concerning finances.
The controversy was brought to light in an interview by Alas captain Bryan Bagunas, prompting the PNVF to release an official statement apologizing to the athletes who claimed were left to pay for their own expenses before and during the Asiad.
“Ako na po ang aako ng kasalanan. I am the president of PNVF, so I will take the hit,” Lao told SPIN.ph.
“Ayaw ko na pong palakihin pa ang isyu. PNVF is under my leadership, so kahit kauupo ko pa lang po, tatanggapin ko na ang sisi,” he added.
Asked how the federation got to this point, the founder of the Strong Group Athletics sports club said: "Not to add fuel to the fire, but even before I came in, the PNVF had no money. In fact, it had incurred a P32 million debt. Baon po sa utang ang federasyon.
“Remember the issue of unpaid salaries to foreign coaches and to players and staff of the PNVF. Noong pumasok po ako, ang daming hindi sumusweldo. Inayos ko po yun.”
It is an open secret that Lao used personal funds to pay the delayed wages of former Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge de Brito and beach volleyball mentor Joao Luciano Kiodai.
READ PNVF sorry for Alas fund mess, reveals inheriting 'financial liabilities'
According to the PNVF’s official statement, Lao also personally advanced the allowances, ticketing expenses, and money needed for the visa requirements of the men’s national team ahead of the Nagoya Asian Games.
“Para hindi po tayo nakakahiya sa international volleyball community, dahil po lumalala na ang reklamo ng mga foreign coaches, I paid them from my own pocket. Pati po yung sweldo ng mga players at backpay at staff ng PNVF na dinatnan kong nakakaawa kasi hindi sumusweldo, sinagot ko po yun,” Lao said.
Since he began actively supporting the PNVF at the start of the year, Lao estimates he has shelled out over P10 million to cover back wages, allowances, and international training camps.
The PNVF confirmed that the current leadership is conducting a comprehensive accounting and inventory of funds received by the previous administration to establish a clear and accurate picture of the federation's financial obligations.
So, where did the money go?
“Hindi ko po alam. Basta't pagpasok ko, bangkarote po ang PNVF. Halos ako na po ang nag-shoulder ng lahat. But I have no regrets. Kasi para sa bansa natin ito eh,” the Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee team owner in the PVL said.
“Basta sa ngayon po, nasa P25 million pa ang utang ng PNVF sa mga suppliers at sweldo ng mga tao. Hindi ko naman po kaya mag-isa yun,” Lao said, adding that from the SGA budget, they gave every member of the national men team an additional pocket money of P20,000 for the Asiad.
This is apart from the $500 (P31,200) allowance they will receive from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under chairman Pato Gregorio, which also gave an additional P6,000 to all Aichi-Nagoya bound athletes and coaches.
So how will Lao untangle the mess?
“I am already talking to sponsors and basta po after the Asian Games, just as we planned, marami pong pagbabago kayo na malalaman sa PNVF. Aayusin po natin ito para sa ating mga atleta,” he said.
“Sa ngayon, let's allow our volleyball teams to focus on the games with promise na malalaman nila ang mga pagbabago. Wala po akong team pinabayaan kahit kailan, ginagastusan nga po naming lahat 'yan. Alam nyo po 'yun,” said Lao.
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