Cycling chief Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino had the numbers when he ran and as chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee last year.
Tolentino, the president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines, had 23 votes as he beat Ting Ledesma of table tennis back in Feb. 22 polls.
Back then, Ricky Vargas of boxing won as president and unseated long time POC chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.
This time around, the dynamics are different when Tolentino goes up against athletics’ chief Philip Ella Juico for the POC presidency when the elections filling the four vacancies in the POC executive board are held starting at 11 a.m. today at the Sheraton Hotel.
“(It’s) my family, the stress of this and the practical side that you don’t want to lose,” said the 71-year-old Juico on his initial hesitation to seek the presidency.
The former Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission will have as his running mates Steve Hontiveros (handball), Lani Velasco (swimming) and Clint Aranas (archery).
On the other hand, Tolentino, who is a congressman representing the 7th district of Cavite (Tagaytay), said unifying the bickering leaders of many national sports associations is among his goals in seeking the top post of the POC.
“It’s to unite everyone and to finish this,” said Tolentino, who seeks the same or more number of supporters to side with him.
Under Juico’s ticket, Hontiveros is a candidate for chairman, while Velasco and Aranas are going for two vacant board member seats.
In Tolentino’s ticket, taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado is in the opposing party with gymnastics’ chief Cynthia Carrion and weightlifting’s Monico Fuentebella, who took the place of judo’s Dave Carter.
Aventajado will challenge Hontiveros for chairman, while Carrion and Fuentebella are vying for board seats.
Acting president Joey Romasanta will turnover the rein of leadership to the winner once the last ballot has been counted.
“Tomorrow (today) will be a defining moment for the POC. The decision we make is crucial and will shape the future of Philippine sports. We are prayerful that the choices we make is devoid of any consideration other than love for sports and country,” said Romasanta.
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.
This will also include International Olympic Committee member Mikee Cojuangco and a member of the athletes’ commission.
Members will be observing secret balloting during the gathering.
International Olympic Committee observer Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra will again observe the proceeding after watching the first two meetings of the General Assembly at the Manila Golf Club in Makati.
The POC is looking forward at electing its 12th president after Vargas quit last June.
Since then, Romasanta took over as acting president.
