MINDANAO sports leaders are confident that chess development in Mindanao will not be left behind under the stewardship of former Surigao del Sur Congressman Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay Jr.

This, after three more chess pillars in Mindanao, was able to secure a seat on the 15-man board of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

“Making it to the NCFP board is such an honor with a corresponding great responsibility that lies ahead. But this is a welcome development for Mindanao chess,” Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.

During the 2022 NCFP elections held recently at the East Ocean Palace in Parañaque City, the Mati Chess Club Inc. of Davao del Norte nominated the Tangub City-based Urbiztondo, who garnered 31 votes in a tie with the chess-loving boxing legend Manny Pacquiao of General Santos City to emerge as the top-notchers among the 20 nominees for the board of directors.

Newly-minted Dapitan City mayor Seth Frederick ‘Bullet’ Jalosjos was also elected to the NCFP board.

“We all know that Senator Pacquiao, as representative of Southern Mindanao, is already a boon to Philippine Chess. I will take good care of the Northern Mindanao side, while Mayor Jalosjos will be representing the Western Mindanao chess development. Sir Seth is a valuable sports asset. In fact, we already discussed a plan to hold a national age-group tourney,” added Urbiztondo, who owned both the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines and the Surigao Diamond Knights in the amateur Philippine Chess League.

Despite some controversies that hounded his political career, Pichay was given the trust and confidence to lead the governing body of Philippine chess for an unprecedented fifth-straight year as chairman-president of the NCFP.

Pacquiao was elevated as one of three vice presidents along with Cavite vice governor Athena Tolentino and Atty. Ruel Canobas.

“It is an honor to be re-elected as the Chairman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). I would like to thank the officers and members of NCFP for placing their trust and confidence in my abilities to lead this prestigious organization,” said Pichay in a Facebook post.

Pichay, who is credited for the steady growth of Philippine chess in the past two decades, will get a lot of help from the other new officials including Marino partylist Rep. Carlo Sandro Gonzalez (secretary-general), Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad (treasurer), Judge Gonzalo Mapili (auditor), Engr. Luisito Ramos (finance chair), former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Javoer Colmenares (youth development chair) and NM Atty. Cresencio ‘Cris’ Aspiras (ratings and titles chair).

Completing the NCFP board of directors alongside Urbiztondo and Jalosjos are Jose Rafael Legaspi, Jonas Silvano, and Martin ‘Binky’ Gaticales.