POC chief quits; PH SEAG preps hang
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas stepped down on Tuesday, ending a spate of controversies that started when he hinted at a plot to oust him. The move raised questions about what happened behind the scenes and how it would affect the country’s preparations for hosting of the Southeast Asian Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas stunned the national sporting community when he stepped down on Tuesday, ending a series of controversies that was ignited when he hinted at a plot to oust him.
Current first vice president Joey Romasanta, the longtime right-hand man of former POC president Peping Cojuangco, will assume the top post until elections are held next year.
While Vargas’ resignation put an end to a tumultuous episode in the POC, it raised a lot of questions on what happened behind the scenes and how the country would proceed with the preparations for hosting this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
A source close to the POC leadership said Vargas quit because a “united majority” of National Sports Association heads would not give him “the full support of the executive board no matter what he does.”
Vargas assumed the top POC post after beating three-term president Cojuangco in courtordered elections last year.
Vargas, in an emotional and controversial general assembly last month, scheduled elections after the SEA Games to give way to officials who want a leadership change without interrupting preparations for the country’s hosting.
His resignation, however, changed all that.
Time and inclination
“After much introspection, I have determined that there would be other sports leaders who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC more effectively,’’ said Vargas, who personally informed the board members of his decision after his breakfast meeting with Romasanta.
Now, it is on Romasanta’s shoulders to reboot the POC’s role in the country’s hosting of the SEA Games.
“It’s really going to be very difficult, because at the same time, I need to pick up the pieces and find what we have and what we don’t have, especially with the hosting challenge of the SEA Games,’’ Romasanta added.
Political underpinnings
Vargas, too, would have wanted to leave under different circumstances.
A staunch supporter of sports whose biggest failing was his inability to adapt to the political underpinnings of running the POC, Vargas had intimated to his advisers that he hoped to run the Olympic body in a different manner.
“They have the united majority,” the source, who requested anonymity, told the Inquirer, referring to the executive board that Vargas had tried to win over. “He knows that he will never get control of the board and that he won’t be an effective leader because of that. That’s why he made the supreme sacrifice and stepped down.”
Officially, though, Vargas cited his corporate work and family matters as reasons for his resignation.
The POC executive board had requested a meeting with Vargas to shed light on the dealings of the POC with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), the body tasked to organize the SEA Games hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
Destabilization plot
Vargas was also asked to explain the statement he made to the media that a destabilization plot was brewing in the POC.
Also part of the supposed agenda during Tuesday’s meeting was the status of payment of broadcast rights for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the questionable deal with a potential SEA Games outfitter, among others.
“I ask for the understanding of all concerned, most especially the athletes and NSAs (national sports associations) who have supported my initiatives in the organization,” Vargas said.
“Rest assured, I will continue to support Philippine sports in my private capacity, particularly as an official of the MVP Sports Foundation and as president of [the national boxing association],” he added.
The source claimed Vargas “was ready to work it out with them (executive board), but he felt that they weren’t willing to do the same.”
“He resigned because he would not bend to the will of the executive board,” the source added.
Smooth transition
Vargas, whowill remain part of the POC board as immediate past president, has requested POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio to assist the incoming president for a smooth transition of leadership.
According to sources, Robert Bachmann of Squash, whom Vargas removed as POC membership committee chair, is going to sit as secretary general while lawyer Charlie Ho of Netball will be his deputy.
Romasanta will also scrutinize the creation of the Phisgoc and the involvement of the POC in a deal entered into by Vargas, one of the eight original incorporators of Phisgoc Foundation.
Phisgoc chief operating officer Ramon “Tats’’ Suzara didn’t respond to calls or reply to messages from the Inquirer requesting for comment.
Next GA set
The Phisgoc Foundation is led by Taguig City Congressman-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, who also sits as the chair of the original Phisgoc created with the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“First things first, we need to regroup. We also need to coordinate with the PSC and sit down on the plans and programs to make the SEA Games successful, and call Phisgoc chair and Congressman-elect Alan Peter Cayetano for us to be able to work together,” Romasanta said.
The POC will hold its first general assembly under Romasanta on June 25 at the GSIS building in Pasay City.
The PSC has taken a detached stance on the development, with its chair Butch Ramirez, who was appointed chef de mission to the SEA Games, saying the success of Team Philippines in the SEA Games is his paramount concern.
“We want to stay positive for the national athletes. We have to cover a lot of ground and we are heartened by the cooperation of everyone,’’ Ramirez said.