Preysler ‘ousted’; PACA names new head

Emmanuel Bayot, who claims to be the only duly-elected official left in the Philippine Amateur Cycling Association, yesterday swore in Ponciano Regalado as officer-in-charge of the troubled cycling body.

Regalado, a former employee of the Philippine Sports Commission, however, was sworn in without the presence of Joaquin Preysler, who took over the PACA leadership following the death of former PACA chief Francisco Almeda last year.

Preysler had recently insisted that he was elected president last January contrary to the claim of Bayot’s group that no elections took place. Preysler said he has the minutes of the January meeting and that he would present them to the POC arbitration commission to prove his stature as PACA president.

"I will file my case with the POC arbitration commission and present my evidence at the proper time," said Preysler.

POC President Celso Dayrit said he will make a stand only after reviewing the evidence to be submitted by Preysler who, according to Bayot, had not done anything during his term.

"So, as the most senior PACA official I have decided to replace Mr. Preysler, Philippine Cycling’s image has been badly tarnished abroad (under the leadership of Preysler," added Bayot, the PACA vice president for Visayas.

Bayot said the post of vice president for Mindanao has long been vacant even before the death of Almeda, same as the post for Luzon and the PACA executive vice presidency, leaving him as the only senior and duly-elected PACA officer. — Abac Cordero

Present during Regalado’s oathtaking were some members of the national pool and Atty. Ding Cruz, the Union Cyclists International representative to the Philippines.

"We will inform the UCI only after reorganizing the house," Cruz said. – Abac Cordero