THERE is a clamor for an election to decide the fate of the present leadership of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary general and Makati Congressman Monsour del Rosario said this after he expressed his sentiments on a court decision that seeks new elections be held on Feb. 23, 2018 for the position of president and chairman of the POC.
“I think that’s the clamor. For majority of the national sports associations and other sports leaders of the NSAs, I think that’s the big clamor,” said del Rosario following a huddle with karatedo official Raymund Lee-Reyes and squash head Robert Bachmann.
Del Rosario made his thoughts known after the Pasig Regional Trial Court recently ruled in favor a complaint that was filed by boxing chief Ricky Vargas last December.
Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang of Branch 155 declared the election for the position of president and chairman on Nov. 25, 2016 as null and void, and stated this in a decision that was released last Dec. 1.
The polls are expected to push through unless the POC seeks a temporary restraining order if the court decides in favor of its motion for reconsideration.
Del Rosario, who has been appointed chef de mission for the national delegation that will see action in the 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games, is appealing to sports leaders like POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and Vargas to work out their differences before the Games come around next year.
“All sports leaders, all people are having problems and going against each other. I appeal to them to settle their personal differences and we all work for our country,” said del Rosario.
This clamor will be tackled when the first POC general assembly of the year takes place by the end of January.
With 11 months to go, preparing for the 2019 SEA Games will need a lot of work.
When the time comes, del Rosario said he will be running for election as congressman in the first district of Makati.
To stay focused and properly keep track of events, he will need the help of four deputy chef de missions, which includes Lee-Reyes and Bachmann.
Aside from that, del Rosario said there is a need to include canoe-kayak head Jonee Go and rugby’s Ada Milby, who were recommended by Lee-Reyes and Bachmann.
Del Rosario added that if the country’s top sports leaders will resolve their differences at the soonest time possible, the officials who are involved in preparing the athletes will most like help the country achieve greatness.
He believes that the Philippines can reach the top 3, and if the leadership issues are resolved, the country can get to no. 1.
He renewed his faith in letting Lee-Reyes remain as one of his deputies.
Lee-Reyes has already informed del Rosario about what transpired when the Philippine Sports Commission suspended financial assistance to the Philippine Karatedo Federation.
Government agents recently launched a probe, questioning athletes, coaches and PKF officials to find out what happened to funds amounting to P3.217-million.
This incident took place during their 20-day training stint in Germany last July.