With pressure mounting from both within and outside Philippine volleyball, embattled Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Anthony “Tony Boy” Liao is refusing to step aside without a fight.
Days after a majority of the federation’s executive board publicly withdrew support for his leadership, Liao issued a firm response Monday, arguing that the ongoing controversy surrounding the PNVF remains far from settled and should undergo proper review before any conclusions are reached.
Rather than treating the latest statement from federation officials as a final verdict, Liao framed it as a development occurring in the middle of a process that is still unfolding. The federation is currently preparing formal submissions and appeals to international volleyball authorities following the suspension imposed by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) late last month.
“We take serious exception to the public statement issued by several members of the PNVF Board withdrawing support from President Anthony ‘Tonyboy’ Liao,” the statement read.
“At a time when the Philippine National Volleyball Federation is preparing to pursue the proper appeal process and submit its formal response to the appropriate international bodies, this public declaration is premature, damaging, and risks prejudicing proceedings that have yet to be fully heard, reviewed, and decided.”
The latest dispute comes amid one of the most turbulent periods in Philippine volleyball governance in recent memory.
Liao assumed the PNVF presidency on January 1, 2026, after winning the federation’s elections in November last year. Less than six months into his term, however, the administration found itself at the center of a growing controversy that eventually led to the FIVB suspending the federation on May 29.
The fallout was immediate. The Philippine Sports Commission announced the withdrawal of financial support for the federation, while the Asian Volleyball Confederation publicly reiterated its backing of AVC president Tats Suzara. Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino also signaled that the POC would respect the FIVB’s ruling during its next general assembly meeting.
The pressure intensified further on June 6 when several top federation officials, including chairman Arnel Hajan, vice president Yul Benosa, secretary-general Otie Camangian, auditor Roger Banzuela, and multiple board members, announced that they had lost trust and confidence in Liao’s leadership.
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For Liao, however, the public withdrawal of support does not automatically settle the matter.
“Most concerning is that the statement itself admits that the merits of the allegations remain subject to investigation and proper determination,” the statement said.
“Despite this admission, its signatories chose to publicly pre-judge the matter, undermine the federation’s appeal, and create the impression that a conclusion has already been reached before the full facts, records, and circumstances have been examined.”
The federation’s response also sought to provide context behind several of the issues currently being scrutinized.
According to Liao’s camp, the current administration inherited multiple operational, financial, contractual, governance, and administrative concerns when it took over leadership at the start of the year. The statement argued that many of those issues were inherited from the previous administration and were compounded by what it described as the absence of a comprehensive transition process.
The PNVF likewise defended its handling of national team matters, particularly decisions involving player selection and roster composition.
“National team coaches must be afforded the independence to evaluate talent and make decisions based on performance, preparation, and the best interests of the national team, free from political pressure, commercial considerations, external influence, or demands from any individual stakeholder group,” the statement added.
Liao also addressed another issue that has surfaced amid the controversy, clarifying that he does not serve as chairman of the Premier Volleyball League despite claims and discussions linking him to the professional league.
While acknowledging the board members’ decision to withdraw support, the federation stressed that such a move does not constitute a formal removal from office. Liao maintained that his mandate came through a democratic election process recognized by the FIVB, PSC, POC, and the broader volleyball community.
“Therefore, while we respect the public statement, this does not qualify as a legal and proper reversal of that election,” the statement said.
“A change of the administration and President of PNVF must be done through the proper process and not left to the whimsies and passions of its officers and members.”
For now, Liao insists he will remain in office while the federation pursues its appeals and responds to the allegations raised against his administration.
With Philippine volleyball facing uncertainty at both the domestic and international levels, the battle for control of the PNVF appears far from over.
“Accountability must proceed,” the statement concluded.
“But it must proceed properly.”
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