Olympic body transfer of power rites set

Jose “Peping” Cojuangco will transfer the reins of power in the Philippine Olympic Committee to newly elected president Ricky Vargas on Monday at the POC office at Philsports in Pasig.

A special board meeting has been set at 12 noon on Monday with the POC election committee briefing the members of the executive board on the results of last Friday’s elections.

At 3 p.m., the formal turnover will take place. Aside from Vargas, the boxing chief, assuming his new position as POC chairman is Rep. Abraham Tolentino of chess.

Vargas, who defeated Cojuangco in the race for the presidency, 24-15, will take full command of the local Olympic body the moment he receives the reins of power.

In the same board meeting, Vargas is expected to present to a motion naming Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines vice president Patrick Gregorio as POC secretary-general.

Vargas has chosen Gregorio to be his secretary-general, a post that has been occupied by Steve Hontiveros since 2004, the year Cojuangco became POC chief.

Gregorio has refused to issue any statement and said it’s for Vargas to make the official announcement. But when pressed for comment, he said there’s “no way” he can “say no” to Vargas.

Vargas a few days ago sat down with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez, and said he was glad that he is on the same page with the latter.

The other day, Vargas paid Sen. Manny Pacquiao a courtesy call at the senator’s office. He was joined during the visit by ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and Gregorio.

“It was very cordial,” said Picson of the meeting with Pacquiao.

The boxer and senator assured the new POC leadership of his support.

“Whatever assistance I can provide, just let me know,” Pacquiao told Vargas, who also discussed with the senator the possibility of making sports programs available to young students.