Court allows controversial POC elections to push through

THE MUCH talked-about elections of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will push through today.

This after a Pasig City court denied the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that Ricky Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP), filed to stop the proceedings.

With the denial of the TRO, Peping Cojuangco Jr. will be running as president unopposed. Cojuangco has been the president of POC for the past 12 years.

Vargas filed the TRO after he was barred from running as president for purportedly failing to meet the requirements to become an active member.

“It’s a sad day for Philippine sports,” said Ramon Fernandez, commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“I’ll talk to PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez to plan what move to make next,” said Fernandez.

Ramirez has been pushing for “free and fair POC elections.”

Fernandez has exposed that the POC failed to liquidate close to P130 million of funds that it received from PSC. A Senate hearing that would have looked into the matter was scheduled last Tuesday but it was canceled. Fernandez said the new schedule for the Senate inquiry was set on Nov. 29.

Vargas in a press statement confirmed receiving the court’s decision denying the TRO.

“In the same order, the court set hearings for December 9 and 16, 2016 for the determination of the rightful definition of the term “active membership” which is the bone of contention in this case. Ergo, the issue has not been settled with finality. We will await the resolution of this case.” he said.

With his failure to contend for the POC presidency, Vargas pleaded for support for their candidates.

“In the meantime, our candidates Cong. Alfredo Benitez (first vice-president), Gen. Lucas Managuelod (second vice-president) and Renauld “Sonny” Barrios (treasurer) will continue our crusade for change and reform in the POC,” Vargas added.

Aside from Vargas, Bambol Tolentino, president of Philcycling, was also disqualified from running as POC chairman.

“Cong. Tolentino and I seek the full support of all NSAs for these candidates, We need them to provide check and balance in the POC. We fought on the principle of change and we continue to bat for it. If you want change let your votes signify change,” Vargas said.