Elections for the highest post in the Philippine Olympic Committee have been nullified by a recent decision handed down by a regional trial court.
This is how I understand it. The decision cited the lack of democratic process in the conduct of the POC elections.
This means that incumbent POC president Peping Cojuangco will face anew his rival, Ricky Vargas, who challenged the former in November 2016 but whom he defeated via technical disqualification.
It is a vindication of sorts for Vargas, president of the Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines (ABAP) and his partner, Cong. Bambol Tolentino of cycling, who aspired for the chairmanship of the POC board and was similarly disqualified.
Vargas was disqualified by the POC Comelec for his “inactive” participation in POC assemblies and meetings.
The POC charter states that the president or chairperson of a national sports association can qualify to run for the POC presidency “provided that he/she has been actively taking part in POC deliberations and affairs, assemblies and meetings.
“Active participation” is translated as “personal and physical attendance” by Vargas which he has not been, as alleged by the Cojuangco camp during the election proceedings.
Because Vargas had allegedly not been showing himself physically in POC meetings and merely sends a representative (the ABAP executive director or sec-gen), this was translated to mean his disinterest in the affairs of the POC and was thus deemed “inactive” and disqualified to run for the post.
This is the accepted traditional practice by NSAs in the POC organization.
The POC constitution and by-laws were effectively amended following the assumption of Cojuangco of the POC helm in 2000.
Many NSA officials have been loudly objecting to this amendment because they observed that the provision would serve only vested interests of those at the POC helm who wanted to stay longer in office.
In sum, all threats – perceived or real – to the Cojuangco leadership were disabled and gotten rid of that enabled the former to wear the all-embracing mantle of autocratic power.
The sports community had, in fact, observed how the then authority seated at the Philippine Sports Commission had kowtowed to all the wishes of the POC bigwigs especially when it comes to granting of financial subsidies.
Vargas is backed by business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP to his hordes of supporters and fans. Pangilinan, who also presides over the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, was even earlier buzzed to be the one running for the POC top post but for some reasons pushed his protégé Vargas instead.
Cojuangco may yet file an MR to appeal the RTC decision but I don’t think it will be overturned by the appellate court or whichever forum he may seek to secure a redress.
In fact, if Malacanang wills it, it can persuade the 83-year old former Tarlac congressman to accede to the court authority by facing a new round of balloting.
Or he may, in delicadeza, completely relinquish the POC throne.
The failure of Cojuangco to provide the ideal leadership in sixteen years as POC chief is the principal reason for NSAs led by ABAP to launch a reform-the-POC movement.
Cojuangco has ignored pleas for him to step down despite failures to produce the country’s first Olympic gold medal in four consecutive Olympic stints.
There is a silver lining in the sports horizon after all. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Isaiah 30:18. “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
