Friday elections to proceed as scheduled
By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.
Moments before the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Extraordinary General Assembly opened last Monday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City, the members of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that entered the room to observe the meeting were forced to leave, with POC officials saying they could not act as observers because “they are also interested parties.”
Among those asked to leave were PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Charles Maxey, Arnold Agustin, and Celia Kiram; and Executive Director, Atty. Sannah Frivaldo.
Frivaldo cited a letter from International Olympic Committee (IOC) Deputy General Director Pere Miró, saying “all interested parties” should attend the meeting; however, POC spokesperson Prospero Pichay, Jr. said the presence of the PSC could be interpreted as the government intervening in the matter.
“We were only trying to protect the integrity and autonomy of the POC,” he noted.
Also barred entry were Monico Puentevella, president of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, previously known as the Weightlifting Association of the Philippines; along with Philippine National Shooting Association President Richard Fernandez
“The four PSC commissioners were also not allowed to join, even as observers, and yet we spend PSC money for POC?” Puentevella asked.
He went on to explain the significance of his presence at the meeting.
“I have been chairman of the POC board and 1st Vice President,” Puentevella explained. “We are the lone [national sports association] to win an Olympic medal for this country in [the 2016 Summer Olympics].”
He also called entire situation “politicized.”
Despite the altercation between the two sporting bodies, Pichay affirmed Friday’s POC presidential election will proceed as scheduled.
New elections were previously called following a decision by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court declaring the 2016 POC elections null and void, citing anomalies surrounding the disqualification of presidential candidate, Alliance Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) President Ricky Vargas.
“The assembly agreed that we will have an election,” he stated.
However, Pichay said their motive to have new elections was not in compliance with the court decision, but “based on what we agreed upon today.”
Both Vargas and Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines President Bambol Tolentino, who was disqualified in his bid for chairman, were required to file certificates of candidacy.
“It will be up to the POC election committee to determine the qualifications of the candidates, including those of Vargas and Tolentino,” Pichay explained.
The election committee is headed by former International Olympic Committee representative for the Philippines Frank Elizalde.
Commissioner Fernandez believes both Vargas and Tolentino will be disqualified anew.
If the election committee sides with the POC’s original decision to disqualify Vargas, that will leave incumbent POC President Jose Cojuangco, who has held the position since 2004, without an opponent.
Meanwhile, Puentevella warned of possible troubles down the road.
“More trouble ahead this coming Friday,” he noted. “Not looking good for Philippine sports; I pity the athletes.”/JSG, WDJ
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