Commentary: A question of legitimacy

MANILA, Philippines - Now that the fight for the POC top post is on, the question foremost in the minds of sports leaders is whether the bid of the challenger  would be virtually doomed even before the first vote is cast on Nov. 25, 2016.

It’s a slambang mano-a-mano between the incumbent Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who is seeking a fourth term, and ABAP chief Ricky Vargas, who is offering a fresh start for Philippine sports driven to despair by dismal performance in international front the past 12 years.

It has reached a crossroads. And sports officials are aware of this.

It’s a question of leadership with the future of Philippine sports on the block.

Whether they would stay with the old dispensation which has steeled itself with nebulous eligibility rule to remain in power or heed the clamor for change and join the New Order willing to lead and dare.

“We will hold the elections, it’s a pillar of Olympism and it shows we are preserving democracy in the POC,” said a member of Team Cojuangco.

But a Comelec  memo reminding prospective candidates of a rule on the POC Constitution and By-Laws that the chairman and the president must show at least four years of experience as an NSA president of an Olympic sport and at least two years of active participation in the General Assembly seems to stymie the bid of Vargas and his supporters.

  And with no other candidate to  challenge him, Cojuangco’s fourth term is secured in the event Vargas is disqualifed on technicality.

It would mean four more years of the old dispensation.

And sports leaders are aware of this.

They are aware that staying with the incumbent would further pull down sports development as it did the past 12 years.

It would mean four more years in sports limbo after our embarassing seventh place finish in the SEA Games, a regional meet light years away from the Olympics.

There was the silver medal of Hidilyn Diaz in the Rio Games. But it won’t create a ripple on the SEAG level with rivals Thailand winning two golds, Vietnam one gold, Indonesia one gold, Singapore one gold and Malaysia four silvers.

There was no silver lining or renaissance in Philippine sports to speak of. And sports leaders are aware of this. 

Breaching a 20-year medal drought, although it gave the nation a brief shining moment, was a feat  put in lesser light since it could only match Onyok Velasco’s silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

And sports leaders are aware of this, even the listless majority which has kept silent for fear of reprisal.

The POC election is an issue on leadership. Here’s one man willing to step down, despite his organization’s slew of successes from the SEAG, Asian Games and World tilts, after the two Filipino boxers were eliminated in the Rio Games.

And another guy whose subalterns were forever crafting guidelines to keep them in power like the inane eligibility rule.

And sports leaders are aware of this.

But Cojuangco needs to approve Vargas’ candidacy for disqualifying him will cast a giant shadow on his leadership. It would be crying for legitimacy.

The world of sports has long transcended its role as interplay of skills, quest for excellence.

With the advent of social media, it has become a true test of the very fiber that makes a nation and its people.

 It stands tall with every Manny Pacquiao victory and sinks and grieve in every defeat.

It showcases the hope, aspiration and faith of every Filipino.

And on Nov. 25, sports leaders should be aware of this.