Athletics’ chief Philip Ella Juico has finally made up his mind.
The 71-year-old Juico will seek the presidency of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
After days of hesitation, Juico filed his certificate of candidacy yesterday before the POC secretariat, along with his running mates Steve Hontiveros (handball), Lani Velasco (swimming) and Clint Aranas (archery).
“Yes, I’m running,” said Juico, who will run against Tagaytay Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines.
“See you all on Sunday,” said Tolentino, who quit his position as chairman.
Hontiveros is a candidate for chairman, while Velasco and Aranas are going for two vacant board member seats.
Taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado is in the opposing party with gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion and judo’s Dave Carter.
Aventajado will challenge Hontiveros for chairman, while Carrion and Carter are vying for board seats.
The election committee of the POC has finalized the procedures for the coming polls last Wednesday, giving the candidates until Thursday afternoon to submit their applications.
Arbitration lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV forms part of the 3-man election panel, with Letran athletics’ moderator Fr. Vic Calvo, and Deputy House Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Conrad Estrella III.
There are 46 of 47 qualified national sports associations which will have representatives who can cast their ballots.
Secret balloting will be observed when elections are held during a POC Extraordinary General Assembly this Sunday at the Sheraton Hotel.
International Olympic Committee observer Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra will again observe the proceedings after watching the first meeting of the General Assembly last week at the Manila Golf Club in Makati.
The POC is looking forward at electing its 12th president after Ricky Vargas quit last June.