Juico, Tolentino dispute top POC post
With Philip Ella Juico of athletics and Rep. Abraham Tolentino of cycling offering their services for the top post, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elects a new president today in an undertaking that should put the leadership squabble to rest and shift the body’s full focus on the country’s Southeast Asian Games hosting. Juico and Tolentino stand before the 40plus strong POC membership in the special elections at Century Park Hotel under the watchful eyes of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia, aiming to win them over with their platforms of unity.
Aside from the presidency, which was vacated by Ricky Vargas of boxing, the POC makes its choice on three other vacant posts – chairman and two board seats.
Bowling’s Steve Hontiveros is vying for the chairmanship on Juico’s ticket against Tolentino’s bet, Robert Aventajado of taekwondo. Archery’s Clint Aranas and swimming’s Lani Velasco are Juico’s candidates for board members while weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella and gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion are running for the same post from the Tolentino camp.
“I look forward to the elections and hope we finish the process without delay so that people can go to work right away to ensure the success of the SEA Games. I am confident the NSAs will vote according to their conscience so we can have better chances of unifying the POC,” Juico said.
“I am calling on my fellow NSA heads to prioritize the POC’s future when they cast their votes. The POC is an institution that needs protection,” said Tolentino, who expressed confidence of sweeping the four posts.
Dr. Batra Dhruv Narindra, president of the Indian NOC and International Hockey Federation, observes the 11 a.m. proceedings on the behalf of the IOC and OCA. The two international bodies have stepped in to help the POC resolve its issues, setting step by step guidelines beginning with a special board meeting last July 8 and an extraordinary general assembly last July 18.