Ricky Vargas on POC polls: I have the numbers

MANILA, Philippines — Ricky Vargas, head of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, said he has the numbers to unseat Jose Cojuangco as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Vargas said all he needs now is the chance to challenge the equestrian chief in Friday’s elections.

Hd said he is confident to win the elections after his camp announced the other day that they’ve gathered the signatures of officials from 23 NSAs (national sports associations).

There are 43 voting members in the POC, give and take a couple more, and 23 votes will represent the simple majority.

“More will be added,” said ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson.

Vargas, however, is bracing for the worst, which could mean yet another disqualification from the elections due to the delicate issue on active membership.

Despite the court order for the POC to include him in the elections, Vargas said the elections committee of the POC might just prevent him again from seeking the presidency.

Tagaytay Rep. Abraham Tolentino, who was also disqualified from the race for the POC chairman, said he couldn’t understand how the POC could defy the court order.

“It’s the court that said we are qualified to run. Is the POC above the law in this country?” said Tolentino.

“Why are they afraid? Why?” he asked.

Their fate is once again in the hands of the elections committee headed by Frank Elizalde, and Vargas said he’s not even thinking of questioning the credibility.

“The problem is we don’t have the right. It is what it is. The POC is what it is. That’s the reality we have to accept,” said Vargas.

The elections committee will decide on or before Friday whether Vargas and Tolentino should be allowed to run.

As a congressman, Tolentino knows that the law is above all, and that if he were in the other shoe, he would have followed the court order.

“I’m a lawmaker. Not a law-breaker,” he said.