Bambol gets green light to deal with PSC, Phisgoc

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino led an executive board meeting that met quorum for the first time since his election to the top post last July 28.

Unlike last Friday when only he and chairman Steve Hontiveros were in attendance, Tolentino had the numbers to make yesterday’s gathering official and got them to approve his nominations to key positions. He was also granted authorization to transact with the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) and Philippine Sports Commission for the SEAG hosting on Nov. 30 to Dec 11.

International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, immediate past president Ricky Vargas, Hontiveros, treasurer Julian Camacho, board members Clint Aranas, Robert Mananquil and Cynthia Carrion, and former IOC representative Frank Elizade were present while auditor Jonne Go joined via teleconference from Davao.

Absent were first vice president Jose Romasanta who was in Singapore, second VP Jeff Tamayo, who’s out of town, and board member Butch Pichay.

“All prayers were answered,” said Tolentino. “The board was very cooperative and we’re already united so tuloy tuloy na yan.”

The board confirmed Tolentino’s choice of secretary general (Edwin Gastanes of football), deputy sec-gen (Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez of fencing), legal counsel (Alberto Agra of obstacle sports), assistant legal counsel (Avelino Sumagui of cycling), membership and accreditation commission chairman (Gen. Lucas Managuelod of muay), and constitutional amendments chairman (Vargas).

Tolentino is eyeing basketball official Sonny Barrios as second deputy sec-gen to handle administrative matters while Gomez focuses on NSA affairs.

The board also gave Tolentino, a congressman from Tagaytay City, the green light to sign a tripartite agreement with Phisgoc and PSC to align the SEAG hosting efforts, but demanded that “all Phisgoc transactions be made transparent, including financial statements” and that the POC “will not be held accountable or liable financially if there are liabilities incurred by Phisgoc after the staging of the (SEA) Games.”