NGAP polls never flawed — Feliciano

Rod Feliciano, president of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), yesterday said that all is in place for the NGAP election set April 26 at the Navy Golf Club.

"We are all set to elect the 13 directors who will serve for the next two years in the NGAP," said Feliciano. "The nomination of candidates has ended on March 26. The roster of nominees is now in the hands of the Comelec for review."

Feliciano, speaking as guest of the PSA Forum at the Pavillion Hotel, said he welcomes "all golf loving Filipinos to participate in the election process because this democratic exercise is in keeping with the provisions of the NGAP constitution and by-laws."

He said he was reiterating his earlier statement that "the NGAP election is never flawed contrary to what had been quoted from Tommy Manotoc that he had allegedly accused my leadership as harboring a flawed NGAP election."

Manotoc, representing Calatagan, has withdrawn his nomination for director in the elections.

"How can the NGAP elections be flawed when the elections have yet to happen? Does that mean that my being elected president of the NGAP the last two elections was flawed? Mr. Manotoc has remained silent on this and I wonder why," said Feliciano.

Feliciano also emphasized his view that military courses have every right as the private clubs of seeking representation in the NGAP board.

"Mr. Manotoc’s statement that there is too much military presence in the NGAP is a twisted logic because in the eyes of everybody in the golfing world, we don’t distinguish between a soldier and a civilian playing golf. They are all golfers period. And all are Filipinos. That’s the bottom line."

But Feliciano said he had praised for Manotoc’s plan to stage golf tournament for the young golfers nationwide.

"Personally, I welcome that move, "said Feliciano. "And I am almost absolute the entire NGAP board will support him on that. I just hope that Mr. Manotoc’s plan will get moving and bear concrete manifestation, I wish him luck on his plan and if ever Mr. Manotoc wants the help of NGAP, we will be more than glad to extend a helping hand."