FORMER Philippine Olympic Committee Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. will play an important role under the new leadership of the POC.
New POC president Ricky Vargas has put Cojuangco, who leads the national sports association for equestrian, in charge of the Constitutional Revisions and Amendments Committee.
The committee is one of 10 committees that the POC is setting up to address the various concerns of members from the national sports associations.
“The move is pursuant to our efforts to the immediate resolution to the various concerns within the POC,” said Vargas, who is also president of boxing, in a letter.
Celso Dayrit, another past president of the POC, and is involved in fencing, will join Cojuangco in the committee, with lawyer Alberto Agra, who heads the Obstacle Sports Federation.
Agra will also wear another hat, which is as the POC’s new legal counsel.
Another former POC official, Robert Aventajado of taekwondo, will chair the Arbitration and Disputes’ Committee.
Robert Bachmann of squash is listed in the Membership Committee with Pearl Managuelod and Quintin Pastrana.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio, who heads the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, will chair the Finance Committee, while SBP Chairman and Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno leads the NSA, Governance and Philippine Sports Commission Affairs.
Karatedo’s Joey Romasanta takes charge of the Ways and Means Committee with Jonne Go.
Philippine Football Federation General Secretary Ed Gastanes will handle the Ethics’ Committee, while gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion will be in the Women’s Commission with rugby’s Ada Milby and sepak takraw’s Karen Caballero.
Soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo will chair the Sports for Peace and Indigenous Sports Committee, while judo’s Dave Carter will spearhead the Technical Commission.
On the other hand, Olympian Hidilyn Diaz and triathlete Nikko Huelgas are part of the Athletes’ Commission.
Meanwhile, the POC promises to forge partnership between the private sector and the government sector.
Vargas said this after he and chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino appeared before a hearing of the House Committee on Youth and Sports at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City Monday.
“We hope the partnerships we are building will be sustained and would redound to a renewed commitment to sports excellence among our people,” said Vargas in a statement.
Vargas and Tolentino bared their plans for partnership with government and the private sector in ramping up grassroots development, proper training, exposure and welfare of athletes.