All warm and sunny in POC execom meet

The healing process within the traditionally divided Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) took a turn for the better during a stormy morning meeting yesterday involving members of the influential POC Executive Board.

Among the 13 members, 10 showed up at the POC headquarters at the Philsports in Pasig and one took part via teleconference call from Davao. Only Jeff Tamayo of soft tennis, the POC second vice president, and Joey Romasanta, the first vice president, and chess chief Prospero Pichay were unable to attend.

Jonne Go of canoe-kayak participated by way of teleconference, a practice that is now widely accepted.

The turnout proved promising as a special meeting called last week by newly elected POC president Bambol Tolentino failed to gather a quorum.

Friday’s other attendees included former POC president Ricky Vargas, chairman Steve Hontiveros, treasurer Julian Camacho, board members Cynthia Carrion and Robert Mananquil, International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and archery’s Clint Aranas.

Also present were POC general manager Art Aro, former IOC representative Frank Elizalde and lawyer Billy Sumagi.

There were several resolutions passed and to be formalized during Tuesday’s General Assembly, including the appointment of Ed Gastanes of football as POC secretary-general.

“Answered prayers,” said Tolentino of the turnout.

Hontiveros said the attendance is a sign that the POC is on the right track in its goal to unify the sports leaders.