POC elections today: Cojuangco assured of third term

MANILA, Philippines - Nothing can stop Jose “Peping” Cojuangco from winning a third term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee when the elections are held today at the Alabang Country Club.

The 78-year-old Cojuangco is running unopposed following the surprise withdrawal  of his lone rival for the coveted post, athletics chief Go Teng Kok, the other day.

Cojuangco became POC president by acclamation in 2004 and earned a second term by beating Art Macapagal, then head of the shooting association, four years ago.

The former congressman from Tarlac and uncle of President Aquino said a third term as head of the local Olympic body will be the culmination of his life in sports.

It all began in the 1970s when Cojuangco headed the golf association. Then he shifted his involvement to bowling and is currently the chief of the equestrian federation.

“This will be the culmination of my stint in sports,” he said yesterday.

“I am really confident that we are on the verge of success in sports. And by the time the 2016 Rio Olympics are held, we will have strong candidates for the gold,” Cojuangco added.

“We are on the verge of making it bigger,” said the father of 2002 Busan Asian Games equestrian gold medalist Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski.

Not until Go announced his withdrawal from the race was Cojuangco guaranteed of the victory in the elections scheduled this afternoon at the exclusive venue.

Go stood up against Cojuangco after businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan withheld his plans to seek the POC presidency.

The athletics chief was disqualified because of his POC status as persona-non-grata, and is all set to secure a TRO (temporary restraining order) in a bid to stop the elections.

But Go had a sudden change of heart, saying he’s had enough of the troubles. He also bared his plans to step down as chief of the athletics association he has led the past 23 years.

“I hope what Go Teng Kok is saying is true. So, after the elections we can all go back to what we’re supposed to do,” said Cojuangco.

He said after today’s elections he would call for a get-together among all POC members just to break whatever animosity was developed among some candidates the past few weeks.

“It’s Christmas time,” he added.

There are 43 votes to be cast – 40 regular members together with International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde and athletes Harry Tañamor and Marestella Torres.

But while it’s smooth sailing for Cojuangco and the presidency, a heated race is expected for the positions of first and second vice presidents, auditor, treasurer and board members.

The president has the power to appoint the POC secretary-general.

Running under Cojuangco’s ticket are triathlon’s Tom Carrasco for chairman, karate’s Jose Romasanta first VP, soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo second VP,wushu’s Julian Camacho treasurer, Butch Pichay of chess for auditor, and judo’s Dave Carter, canoe-kayak’s Joanne Go, gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion and sailing’s Ernesto Echaus as board members.

On the other side of the fence are weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella for chairman, boxing’s Manny Lopez first VP, Abraham Tolentino of chess for second VP, Romy Ribano of squad for treasurer, golf’s Godofredo Galindez auditor, and fencing’s Victor Africa, baseball’s Hector Navasero and volleyball’s Gener Dungo as board members.

“We have a good ticket. And these are people who have proven themselves. We hope that tomorrow we will all be successful,” said Cojuangco.

The opposition failed to produce a presidential candidate, and Lopez said they will leave the space blank.

It’s a heated race for the post of first vice president between Romasanta and Lopez although the latter still faces disqualification until today.

Under the POC rules, only one representative per NSA (national sports association) “can vote and be voted upon,” and if boxing chief Ricky Vargas shows up to vote, Lopez, his vice president, will not be allowed to run.

“If tomorrow Mr. Ricky Vargas is there, then Manny Lopez will be disqualified. There should only be one primary representative per NSA. And only that person can vote and be voted upon,” said lawyer Wency Andanar of table tennis.

It’s the same with Tolentino, the mayor of Tagaytay City, and Galindez. If Pichay shows up and to vote and run at the same time, Tolentino will be disqualified because they belong to the same sport. Galindez will be disqualified as well if golf president Tommy Manotoc shows up during the elections.