All 54 eligible members have been cleared to cast their ballots on election day of the Philippine Olympic Committee today.
These include two troubled national sports associations. The General Assembly of the POC gave their nod to let representatives of the Philippine Tennis Association and the Philippine Badminton Association to cast their ballots during electoral proceedings this afternoon.
The go-signal was given during an online meeting yesterday, on the eve of polls which would choose the leaders of the POC for the next four years.
PHILTA president and lawyer Antonio Cablitas said their association remained under the threat of suspension from the International Tennis Federation because of an unresolved leadership dispute.
But since the POC has not received an update from the ITF on their status, tennis will be able to join the proceedings that will commence at the East Ocean Restaurant in Macapagal Avenue in Parañaque.
POC chairman Steve Hontiveros ruled that the PBA will be allowed to join the proceedings. But it will be on the condition that they have to decide among themselves if former vice president Jejomar Binay will be the one to vote, or if ex-Negros Occidental congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez will be allowed do so.
Benitez is said to be the duly elected president of the PBA during polls held without POC observer last year, while Binay was elected back in 2017.
The decision on the status of badminton and tennis was reached after members of the General Assembly discussed issues concerning the elections with election body headed by lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV, former International Olympic Committee representative Francisco Elizalde and University of the Philippine president Danilo Concepcion.
Incumbent president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who is the head of national body of cycling (Philcycling), wants to make a difference when he goes for a full four-year term against archery chief Clint Aranas.
The POC is looking forward to electing its 12th president after Ricky Vargas quit last June 2019.
“This will be different. Galing ito sa puso. Totohanin natin iyun,” remarked Tolentino.
Tolentino will be with a powerhouse ticket known as the Performance Team. It also includes Al Panlilio who, as president of Smart Communications and Chief Revenue Officer of PLDT, is seeking the post of first vice president.
Also with Tolentino’s group is Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez. He is the president of the fencing and the modern pentathlon federation. He is batting to become second vice president.
Aranas is keeping his fingers crossed that he will have the numbers. He stayed optimistic that he will have ample support after the election body of the POC turned down a protest and an appeal from his group to disqualify candidates who are also running for positions.
“I’m a nobody in the POC. We will see to the votes on Friday. If I win, I can do a lot of things for the POC,” said Aranas, a lawyer and accountant by profession.
Aranas earlier raised questions on the candidacies of Tolentino, Cynthia Carrion (gymnastics), Tom Carrasco (triathlon), Dave Carter (surfing) and Dr. Raul Canlas (surfing).
Also in Tolentino’s list of candidates are Carrasco for chairman, Carrion (treasurer) and baseball’s Chito Loyzaga who is running for the post of auditor. Making a bid as board members are muay secretary general Pearl Managuelod, Surigao rep. (first district) Prospero Pichay Jr., as president of National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
Carter and Canlas are also vying for positions in the board.
In Aranas’ ticket are handball president Steve Hontiveros, who will again seek the post chairman.
Athletics chief Philip Ella Juico and rugby president Ada Milby will also run for first vice president and second VP, respectively.
Wushu chief Julian Camacho has joined Aranas’ group, and will seek the post of treasurer once again, with Robert Bachmann (squash) as part of the board of directors.
Also going for the post of directors are atty. Charlie Ho (netball) and Robert Mananquil (billiards).
Their group has adopted Milby, who will run as an independent candidate. Monico Puentevella (weightlifting) is seeking the post of auditor.
The proceedings will be done under the watchful eyes of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases. Organizers will adopt health and safety protocols to make the proceedings possible.
