Abraham Tolentino elected to POC top post

MANILA, Philippines — Emerging victorious in the Philippine Olympic Committee’s special elections, newly-installed president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino yesterday immediately sounded the call for unity to his colleagues as they move on from the leadership disputes and turn their focus on the Southeast Asian Games hosting.

Tolentino beat athletics boss Philip Ella Juico in the polls participated in by 44 voting members, garnering 24 votes against 20 to win the post vacated by former president Ricky Vargas last June.

Juico’s runningmate, 74-year-old Steve Hontiveros of handball, won the chairmanship after getting 26 votes against Tolentino’s bet, Robert Aventajado of taekwondo, who got 18.  

Archery’s Clint Aranas and gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion got back the board seats they previously resigned from as they received the two highest votes of 24 and 23, respectively. Weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella and swimming’s Lani Velasco missed out on the board with 21 and 19 nods, respectively.  

 “Hopefully matapos na itong POC squabble,” said the 55-year-old Tolentino, who will serve out the remainder of Vargas’ term until December 2020. “And as the saying goes, let’s set aside differences and move forward, let us be united and focus on the SEA Games as well as Para Games and Olympics next year.”

The SEAG hosting slated Nov. 30-Dec. 15 is of the most immediate concern for Tolentino.

“We have to focus on that (SEAG) barely how many months to go, hindi po tayo nawawala sa direksyon, with Phisgoc (Philippine SEAG organizing committeee) and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission). Trabaho ito, we’re here to serve, not to be served,” said Tolentino.

He also vowed continuity with Vargas’ initiatives. “Definitely, itutuloy ko po yung reporma na ginagawa ni immediate past president Ricky Vargas.”

Juico accepted the results of the voting, which the POC held with guidance from the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia. The two international bodies were represented in the proceedings by Batra Dhruv Narindra.

“Congratulations to the winners. If we can be of help, we’re just a text or a call away. If we can be of any value to them, we’re here, at least I am,” said the 71-year-old Juico, who gave Tolentino a congratulatory tap on the shoulder once the canvassing was through.