Coo set to step down as bowling president
Olivia “Bong” Coo is set to step down as president of the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) following her appointment as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
In a phone conversation with Daily Tribune, the 74-year-old bowling legend said they will call for a meeting in the coming weeks to plot how they can fill the leadership vacuum that will be created by her departure from the federation. “With this appointment, I will have to step down as president of PBF and chairman of Women in Sports commission of the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee),” Coo said. “We have to meet in the coming weeks to discuss our next move as a federation. We have to decide on who will be the next president of our federation.”
Aside from Coo, also part of the PBF board are chairperson Tito Sotto, vice president Atty. Ed Santos, secretary general Gina Avecilla, treasurer Lorna Ferlaca and board members Steve Hontiveros, Paeng Nepomuceno, Biboy Rivera, Nikki Cheng, Salome Lopa, and Jean Marie Farcuri.
Hontiveros said Santos will assume the PBF presidency with Avecilla taking a more active role.
We have to decide on who will be the next president of our federation.
“We have to make some adjustments,” said Hontiveros, an old hand in the federation who also serves as chairperson of the POC.
“Once Bong takes on her new role as PSC commissioner, Atty. Ed Santos will assume the leadership and Gina Avecilla will help him out until we formally hold an election.”
Coo said she will hit the ground running as soon as she formally assumes office.
She, for one, vows to serve as an advocate of women and youth empowerment with emphasis on grassroots sports.
She also promised to be the voice of the athletes inside the PSC boardroom, especially in collecting their allowance and incentives.
“I have been an advocate of RA 10699 or the Athletes Incentives Act ever since,” Coo, who was named as Greatest International Bowler of All-Time by the Bowlers Journal International, said.
“So, once I assume office, I will try my best to be the voice of our athletes in the PSC. We have to help them in any way we can, especially in collecting their allowances and other incentives.”
“But for now, it’s status quo. We have to wait for other appointments before I could formally take my oath and start serving the PSC.”