THE PBA governors are set to adopt a veil of secrecy in electing the league’s next permanent commissioner.

This was disclosed by PBA Officer-In-Charge Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios and confirmed by a Malaya source yesterday, saying the governors are set to conduct secret balloting in their meeting to select the new commissioner on Jan. 10.

"I think that is the way they will conduct it, through secret balloting," said Barrios in an interview.

"That is the most diplomatic way para hindi magkahiyaan at mabawasan ang kantiyawan na may bumalimbing," he added.

Those verified the statement of the source, who said he will suggest to his co-govenors that their ballots be cast without anybody else knowing whom they voted for.

"Meron kasi sa amin who have our personal choices but were ordered by our higher-ups to go for the other candidate," said the source.

"Of course, we cannot openly go against the wishes of our superiors, even if we feel that our choice is the best one for the league," he added.

"We are still talking to our superiors if they can change their minds, but if all else fails, secret balloting is the answer."

Only lawyer Chito Salud and businessman Lambert Ramos are left among the four candidates and each needs a minimum six votes to become the league’s seventh permanent commissioner.

No decision was reached during the original deadline last Dec. 17 despite votings that reached three rounds.

Salud garnered only five votes and Ramos four from the nine voting governors before a decision was reached to hold another round on Jan. 10.

It was reported that Magnolia, Ginebra, Red Bull, Welcoat and Coca-Cola voted for Salud with Alaska, Air21, Sta. Lucia Realty and Talk N Text going for Ramos.

Alaska is the one that nominated Ramos, whose son is said to be the president of Mail and More, one of the businesses owned by Air21’s Bert Lina.

Sta. Lucia co-owner Vicente Santos is also said to be close to Ramos.

Both Barrios and the source said secret balloting is the solution to the current reality in the PBA, which is that there are two levels of decision-making–between the governor and the owner.

"Besides," added Barrios, "secret balloting is the normal way of doing things at board level. That way, harmony and unity are preserved and the hardening of positions is avoided."