THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Executive Committee on Monday deferred acting on proposed major amendments in the POC charter after several of its members claimed they didn’t have enough time to scrutinize the organization’s Commission on Constitutional Amendments.
POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino heeded the call by eight members of the 12-member committee, who said they received a copy of the proposed amendments only last Saturday.
Foremost in the proposed amendments is the setting of an age limit of 70 for sensitive POC positions, as well as the prohibition of members to become president, vice president or secretary-general of more than one national sports association.
The Executive Committee agreed to again convene online to deliberate on the proposals at 9 a.m. on Friday.
Gymnastics President Cynthia Carrion, a Tolentino ally, proposed to reschedule the discussion on the planned amendments after fellow board member Atty. Clint Aranas of archery said he needed time to study the proposed amendments.
Carrion doesn’t agree with the 70-year-old age cap being pushed by Tolentino’s camp. She is 72.
Aranas also said he was surprised why he wasn’t included in the discussions of the Commission on Constitutional Amendments headed by boxing president.
“I was clearly made to understand in a previous board meeting that I was a member of this committee, only to learn I was no longer there when the minutes came out. This is why Cynthia [Carrion] understood where I was coming from,” Aranas said. “My name was apparently deleted in the minutes of that board meeting.”
Besides Ricky Vargas, the committee is also composed of POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes, baseball’s Chito Loyzaga, cycling Secretary-General Atty. Billy Sumagui and obstacle course racing head and POC legal counsel Atty. Al Agra, who presented the proposed changes to the board.
POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros, First Vice President Joey Romasanta, treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go and board member Robert Mananquil of billiards and snooker joined the online meeting.
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines, was also present. It was her first public appearance since being elected a member of the IOC Executive Board last Friday during the 136th session of the IOC Congress, the first to be held online by the world Olympic body’s assembly.
It marked the first time in quite a while that all members of the Executive Board were present.
CojuangcoCojuangco-Jaworski, who won the country’s lone gold medal in the 2002 Busan Asian Games, signed a 16-page resolution submitted by Hontiveros, Romasanta, Go, Camacho, Aranas, Mananquil and POC Second Vice President Col. Jeff Tamayo, containing their response to the proposed amendments.
Tolentino’s camp invoked a new IOC policy on an age cap of 70 in proposing the amendment, but BusinessMirror learned that Cojuangco-Jaworski is opposed to the recommendation saying it only applies to the IOC and not to the POC.
Romasanta also aired his opposition to the age cap rule.
“Being an IOC member and being [with] an NOC [National Olympic Committee] that is affiliated with the IOC are two different and distinct things,” Romasanta, who is 75, said. “This distinction has to be made.”
Tolentino, meanwhile also was presented a report on the the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council meeting held last July 9, saying he lobbied for the inclusion of arnis, eSports, obstacle course race, skateboarding and triathlon/duathlon in the program of the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games which are set late next year.
The cycling chief and Tagaytay City representative also commended the success of the POC’s Olympic Day celebration and the “Free Bike” program for athletes.
The POC also confirmed on Monday polo as an associate member and pole and aeriel as a recognized member of the body.
Ramon Rafael Bonilla