Juico: We will comply with POC

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Philip Juico is willing to hold another election if it would earn him the recognition of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Juico was elected as the new Patafa chief last July 25 along with nine other members of the board of trustees and four other officers.

But the POC did not honor the elections because it said the Patafa still has to create a new set of constitution and by-laws based on the guidelines set by the International Olympic Committee.

Jose Cojuangco said last Thursday that when Juico meets all the requirements, the latter can call for a new election with the blessings of the POC.

Juico told The STAR he has no problem with that.

“Basically that’s what we agreed on,” said Juico, referring to a couple of meetings he had with the POC leadership days before his election.

“That’s okay since the recent election we had was under the articles of incorporation and by-laws recognized by and registered with the SEC which provide only for one-year term for the 10 board of trustees and five officers,” added Juico.

“We will comply in a manner that is consistent with POC policies,” he said.

The former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission has set his priorities as Patafa president, and on top of the list is the country’s participation in the Asian Games.

Juico said he wants the country to end the long medal drought in the quadrennial event, and the only way to do that is to focus on the task at hand.

He said there’s no need to engage the POC in a word war or anything to that effect. He said he will comply with what the POC wants as soon as possible.

During the July 25 elections, where Go Teng Kok quietly stepped down as Patafa chief after a 24-year reign, representatives from the Asian Amateur Association and the Securities and Exchange Commission were present.

Aside from the new set of constitution and by-laws, the new Patafa will have to come up with a fresh and updated list of all its members and stakeholders from around the country.

Juico said he can’t wait to settle the issue so he could focus on his plans for the Patafa and work hand in hand with the POC and the PSC.

“We will sort them out. We want to work in harmony with the others. It will not do us any good if we have a running battle. Ang kalaban natin Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Brunei and Myanmar.

Also included in his priorities is private sector support for his programs.