SEVENTEEN national sports associations are expected to throw their support behind incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco jr. when he seeks another term of office.
He said this is the number that he is expecting to get following the disqualification of boxing chief Ricky Vargas, who was supposed to challenge him.
“That’s the maximum number I can get, 17 votes. The other side will get just seven,” said Cojuangco following Wednesday’s POC General Assembly.
Cojuangco made this assessment after POC election committee chief Frank Elizalde discussed their findings and recommendation following a review of candidates in the coming polls on Nov. 25.
“The one’s questioning the rules of the election and causing trouble is just a minority,” said Cojuangco.
Vargas was deemed unfit to run for a position in the POC with cycling’s president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Elizalde cited Section 11 in Article 7 of the POC constitution and bylaws, which states that “the Chairman and the President of the POC must have had at least four years experience as NSA President of an Olympic Sport at the time of his election as POC Chairman or President.
Section 11 also states that “provided, that they must be elected from any of the incumbent NSA Presidents representing an Olympic sport, and provided, further, that they have been an active member of the POC General Assembly for two consecutive years at the time of their election.”
“They did not meet the requirements for the current statutes for president and chairman respectively,” said Elizalde.
Amateur Boxing Alliance of the Philippines secretary general Patrick Gregorio, who attended the meeting, said there are plans to put the decision under protest, and will make an effort to do so before the deadline next week.
Elizalde added they have made reminders in the past, and hope that future aspirants for the post will learn lessons from this.
“This is not to disparage or try to affect any candidacy in any negative manner. But, that’s the reality. Hopefully, people will learn that in the future, they must comply,” stated Elizalde.
The election committee has cleared Joey Romasanta (volleyball) to contest the post of first vice president to Rep. Albee Benitez (badminton), Jeff Tamayo (soft tennis) will seek the position of second VP with retired gen. Lucas Managuelod (muay thai).
Julian Camacho (wushu) seeks the treasurer position with Sonny Barrios (basketball). Jonee Go (canoe-kayak) emerged as the lone candidate for auditor after Ting Ledesma(table tennis) backed out.
Seeking to be members of the board are Clint Aranas (archery), Cynthia Carrion(gymnastics), Robert Mananquil (billiards), Prospero Pichay (chess), and Romeo Magat (tennis).