Villafuerte wants Levistes out of ACC

The controversy that erupted in the 38th Mango Tee continues to get sour.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte is seeking the expulsion of former Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste and his son, Ronin, from the Alabang Country Club (ACC) following a dispute in the prestigious invitational golf tournament over the weekend.

In a letter to the ACC board of directors on 10 February, Villafuerte asks for clarification in the board resolution in which he was requested to return the trophy that he and his playing partner, Edward Francisco, had won as Division 3 champions.

“I am formally demanding that the Board issue and publish an additional clarificatory resolution stating, in unequivocal terms, that I took no part in any irregularity, cheating, or improper conduct, and that I should be cleared of any wrongful imputation,” Villafuerte wrote.

“I will return the trophies, but I cannot accept any insinuation that I manipulated the results or engaged in any improper conduct.”

Aside from Villafuerte, whose partner was said to be a licensed professional golfer, also asked to return their trophies were Ronin Leviste and his partner, Darren Flores.

The younger Leviste declared a handicap index of 24 but scored a whopping 52 points from a gross of 8-over par 80 on the first day of the event en route to emerging as overall net champion. His score raised a red flag since sideliners had never seen a high-handicapper submitting a score of 8-over in the nearly four decades of the Mango Tee.

Villafuerte stressed that he did not cheat but was just implicated by the elder Leviste, who sits as vice chairman of the Mango Tee organizing committee.

“The repeated reversals and the arbitrary decision that ultimately benefited Mr. Ronin Leviste were the direct result of undue influence,” Villafuerte added.

“It is deeply troubling that a member of the Committee would be in a position to influence a decision that directly benefited his own son.”

He urged the ACC board to crack the whip and discipline the Levistes for the reputational harm and concerns in the integrity of one of the most prestigious clubs in the country.

“I respectfully urge the Board to consider expulsion proceedings against Mark and Ronin Leviste for conduct unbecoming of members and for actions that have caused serious damage to the Club and its members,” he said.