THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) would heed a court-ordered election for the positions of chairman and president on February 23.
But in the eyes of boxing chief Ricky Vargas and cycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, they fear the exercise would only run around in circles—meaning they bound to suffer the same fate when they were disqualified in November 2016 to run as president and chairman, respectively.
The POC, in a length general assembly at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club on Monday, announced the holding of the elections through the body’s spokesman, Rep. Prospero Pichay of chess.
Pichay told the assembly that they will proceed with the elections to comply with the ruling of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) and would put Jose Cojuangco Jr.’s incumbency as president on the line.
But a hitch—for Vargas and Tolentino—emerged.
Pichay also announced that the POC would firmly adhere to its elections policy and that candidates would have to be scrutinized by an election committee on whether they are qualified or not.
The committee would be composed of former International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde, Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation head Alberto Agra and former De La Salle president Br. Bernard Oca, FSC.
Elizalde and Oca were members of the 2016 elections committee—with Conrado Estrella III—that disqualified Vargas and Tolentino for their failure to attend all general assembly of the POC.
“We have to follow the bylaws in as far as the conduct of elections is concerned,” Pichay said. “The [Comelec] will be guided in accordance to the bylaws as to who will be qualified.”
Vargas decried the decision and feared a “familiar ending.”
“The process that we are taking is leading to disqualification,” Vargas said. “I am very disappointed.”
Tolentino aired the same sentiment.
“Why are they afraid to [take] the election? Why are they afraid of us?” the Tagaytay City congressman said.
Vargas said the Pasig City RTC could file contempt charges against the POC and that “failure to abide by the decision of the court to grant them the candidacy might trigger movements among national sports associations [NSA].”
“They [NSAs] may clamor for our inclusion. If we are disqualified, they might say no,” Vargas stressed.