RICKY VARGAS stressed his solid support for the reelection of Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
And Vargas, Tolentino’s predecessor at the top POC post, couldn’t help but describe politics in the POC as “painful.”
“I’m solidly for the continuation of the programs of Bambol [Tolentino],” said Vargas during the sidelines of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier between the Philippines and New Zealand which Gilas Pilipinas won, 93-89, on Thursday night at the SM MOA Arena.
“He’s been able to help not only the POC stature, but bring up the stature of the POC and he also helps many athletes,” said Vargas, who was elected POC president in 2018 but resigned in 2019 prompting a special election with Tolentino winning over Philip Ella Juico.
“We need a man like him especially in the POC where politics is painful,” he said. “That’s the reason I chose him to take over my place because I knew that we needed somebody strong, someone who knows politics and who can actually manage politics in any organization.”
The POC will hold its elections on November 29 at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Paranaque City with 61 national sport associations picking who will lead the organization in the next four years—Tolentino of cycling or Chito Loyzaga of baseball.
Vargas said he shouldn’t be throwing tirades against Tolentino’s opponents but couldn’t resist defending harmony and unity within the POC.
“It’s expected, the other side has always been the biggest critic and they never stopped, in the guise of unity, they never stopped,” he said. “And it’s the same people … but it’s their right, their right to run, wanting to take over POC again.”
“But I think we should be a little bit more circumspect,” he added.
Tolentino is seeking a fresh four-year term with his “Working Team” composed of basketball’s Alfredo “Al” Panlilio (first vice president), modern pentathlon’s Rep. Richard Gomez (second vice president), surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (treasurer) and volleyball’s Donaldo “Don” Caringal (auditor) and and Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Leonora “Lenlen” Escollante (canoe, kayak and dragon boat), Alexander “Ali” Sulit (judo), Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin (jiu-jitsu) and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing) as members of the Executive Board.
