By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

With the upcoming special election for Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman scheduled for next month, after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court-Branch 155 declared the 2016 Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections null and void, Philippine Weightlifting Association (PWA) President Monico Puentevella, who previously served as POC chairman, is requesting all POC positions be made available.

“All positions should be opened for election,” he said. “How can we assure that change happens in POC governance if those [sitting] in the other positions remain?”

The court invalidated the result citing the disqualification of presidential candidate, Alliance Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) President Victorio Vargas, as the POC executive board acted “beyond the scope of its power and authority.”

Vargas will be challenging incumbent POC President Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco for the post, with the election scheduled for February 23.

Cojuangco has held the position since 2004.

The POC has since filed a motion for a temporary restraining order on the decision./JSG, WDJ