Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) President Ricky Vargas has commended the International Olympic Committee for its recommendations that paved way to holding new elections for chairman and president in the Philippine Olympic Committee.
While the case is still awaiting resolution in court, Vargas feels that the rule of law is now being followed and the voice of reason” has been heard.
“I am now looking forward to an orderly and fair election, hopefully leading to the improvement of our athletes’ lives and Philippine sports in general,” said Vargas in a text message.
Upon advice from the International Olympic Committee, talks on having new elections for chairman and president in the Philippine Olympic Committee will continue this week.
The POC, through secretary-general Steve Hontiveros, has convened the executive board to discuss this on Feb. 15.
In that meeting, discussions on issues will happen and settled in relation to the conduct of the elections.
And that’s to designate an official representative of a national sports association to the POC general assembly when it holds an extraordinary meeting of the POC general assembly on Feb. 19.
Once resolved, elections can then be held on Feb. 23.
Pere Miro, IOC director general for National Olympic Committee relations, has advised POC officials who went to the 2018 Winter in PyeongChang, South Korea of their recommendations.
Miro, following a meeting with POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., said that it is up to the POC general assembly, and not the courts, which should decide on internal issues concerning elections.
“While this should not be interpreted as government intervention with the judicial process, it must be recalled that NOCs are autonomous sports organizations,” said Miro in his letter.
The director general cited Rule 27.6 of the Olympic Charter, which states that the IOC General Assembly has the final authority within the NOC to adopt(and consequently interpret) the NOC constitution, and freely elect the members of the executive board.
He said doing so “will avoid complications” which could happen.
“In this context, we recommend that you refer the present situation to your NOC General Assembly,” Piro went on.
It will now depend on the general assembly if Vargas will be disqualified, or if the majority will amend provisions of the bylaws on the elections, and in accordance to the ruling of the Pasig Regional Trial Court ruling.
The issue of physical presence will have to be resolved since it will be recalled that it was the main issue when Vargas and Tagaytay rep. Abraham Tolentino of Cycling filed their candidacies for president and chairman respectively for the 2016 POC elections.
