Senator Tulfo Condemns PNVF Over Media Blackout and Ticket Pricing at Volleyball Championship

Senator Erwin Tulfo has called on the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to provide an explanation following its decision to revoke the accreditation of Spin.ph and prohibit the site from covering the ongoing FIVB Men's World Championship in Manila. The move came shortly after Spin.ph published reports criticizing the steep ticket prices for the tournament.

Tulfo condemned the action as a clear violation of press freedom, stating, "This is censorship. This is curtailment of freedom of the press. As a journalist all my life, I condemn this act of blocking our noble reporters' freedom to write for the press. Those responsible for obstructing our colleagues in the media must be held accountable."

He emphasized that journalists have an essential right to disseminate the truth, particularly in an era flooded with misinformation on social media, adding, "Every journalist has the right to write or broadcast the truth—because these days, there is so much fake news, especially on social media—and no one should be allowed to prevent this."

The issue gained further traction when Senator Risa Hontiveros and Tulfo collectively criticized the federation, led by Ramon "Tats" Suzara, not only for the ticket pricing but also for permitting an online gambling company as a sponsor of the event. Tickets were initially priced between PHP 14,000 to 18,000, prompting outrage before discounts were eventually introduced.

Hontiveros expressed disappointment over the prohibitive cost, stressing that it alienated many Filipino volleyball fans eager to support the sport and the national teams. "It's regrettable because there's a growing number of Filipino volleyball enthusiasts who want to watch and cheer for the games, our national teams, and other squads loved by Filipinos," she said. "Why were tickets made unaffordable for ordinary people who just want to enjoy the matches?"

Senator Tulfo also linked the expensive ticket prices to the notably low attendance at many games, which he described disparagingly as being "like a ghost town," underlining concerns that the sport's growing popularity is undermined by these barriers.

The controversy raises broader questions about transparency, sponsorship ethics, and media access in Philippine sports management amid a surge of local and international volleyball interest.