By Lucio Gabor
The fledgling Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) faced disarray after several key officials resigned on Monday, a day after commissioner Haydee Ong stepped down from her post.
Among those who tendered their resignations was legal counsel Ma. Ana Fatima Tolentino, daughter of former senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino; technical head Editha Botecario; executive secretary Fatima Pumaren; and deputy commissioner Arsenio Dysangco.
The four officials issued a joint statement, which they also posted on Facebook, confirming their collective decision to step down.
Their move came in the wake of Ong’s resignation on Easter Sunday. However, no official statement directly linked their decision to Ong’s departure from the professional women’s league.
“Following the resignation of the league commissioner, we, the undersigned, formally announce our collective and immediate resignation from our respective positions,” the group said.
“Our decision to step down is in support of the issues highlighted by the commissioner, which have made the continued performance of our professional duties untenable.”
“As officers tasked with upholding the league’s rules, we aim to serve alongside a management that shares the same vision.”
“We thank the teams and players who competed with honor and love for the sport. It has been a privilege to serve the athletes, and we remain committed to promoting women’s basketball,” the statement added.
The WMPBL is the country’s second professional women’s basketball league, composed of six teams. It serves as the women’s counterpart of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The league began play as an amateur competition in January 2025 following its official launch in November 2024. Its inaugural professional season was held in June last year, and preparations for its second conference are currently ongoing.
