PNVF absent in initial NLRC talks with former Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza de Brito 

The dispute between the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and former Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito took an unexpected turn after the federation failed to appear at a scheduled conciliation-mediation conference on Tuesday at the National Labor Relations Commission.

For de Brito and his camp, the morning was meant to open dialogue. Instead, it ended in silence.

Arriving as early as 9:30 a.m., the Brazilian coach and his legal counsel, Atty. Rex Enrico Cruz III, waited at the NLRC’s Single Entry Approach (SeNA) office with hopes of addressing claims involving alleged unpaid salaries and bonuses tied to his tenure with the national team.

But no representative from the federation showed up.

“Unfortunately, the PNVF and/or representatives are absent in the Mediation Hearing before the SENA NLRC this morning,” Cruz said.

“Coach Jorge is very optimistic this morning. He arrived early and hoped that PNVF or Mr. Liao will heed the recommendation of PSC chair to settle this the soonest,” he added.

The absence not only delayed proceedings but also cast doubt on earlier signals of willingness to resolve the issue. 

Just days prior, PNVF secretary-general Otie Camangian publicly stated that the federation intended to honor its obligations to the former coach.

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DE BRITO SPEAKS OUT

Former Alas Pilipinas Women head coach Jorge Souza de Brito has issued a statement after initiating legal proceedings against the PNVF to the NLRC, one he forwarded to https://t.co/lXpLd8gYBb.

Jorge Souza de Brito#AlasPilipinas #PNVF @spinph pic.twitter.com/vLsU2hPo0G

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) April 20, 2026

“Hindi po tatalikuran ng PNVF kung anuman ‘yung obligasyon na nararapat sa ating foreign coach, precisely because ‘yun naman talaga ang dapat,” Camangian said in a radio interview.

Tuesday’s development, however, told a different story—one that now threatens to push the dispute beyond mediation.

The case had already drawn attention after Pato Gregorio urged both sides to settle the matter promptly. Instead, the lack of attendance has effectively reset the timeline, with a new mediation date set for May 4.

“Hopefully, PNVF will be there. Otherwise, we proceed to the NLRC proper already before the Labor Arbiter,” Cruz warned.

If unresolved, the case could escalate to formal litigation, moving from mediation into a full labor dispute that may eventually reach the courts.

Beyond the immediate issue of unpaid wages, the conflict has also begun to widen. De Brito’s camp is now preparing an additional complaint, alleging that the federation violated terms of a contract that, according to the coach, was meant to remain confidential.

He is seeking compensation for salaries and bonuses tied to his stint with the national team across multiple international tournaments. The PNVF, for its part, has maintained that de Brito himself breached provisions of that same agreement.

The dispute comes months after his tenure with the Philippine women’s volleyball team ended without renewal following the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

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