Patafa to hold elections today

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Go Teng Kok is all set to pass the torch he has held for 24 years.

The Patafa will hold its elections at noon today, and expected to assume the presidency is ex-Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Ella Juico.

The Philippine Olympic Committee said it will not send a representative to the said exercise, citing some loopholes that may lead to technicalities.

Jose Romasanta, POC first vice president, said questions may arise regarding the composition of the current board, whose members were raised from seven to 10, based on a recent amendment.

Romasanta said if Juico gets a trouble-free ride to the presidency today, then the POC will take it from there.   

“We (POC) are all for the election. Mr. Juico has many plans for Patafa and there’s no reason for us to say no to him,” said Romasanta.

Even without a POC representative, a primary requirement for an NSA (national sports association) election, Go said they will push through with the elections at the Orchids Hotel.

Go also said foreign track officials and a representative from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will witness the elections.

First, all positions will be declared vacant, and then the members will elect the 10 board directors, who will then elect the officers among themselves.

Expected to keep his position as Patafa chairman is former Bureau of Immigration commissioner Al Fernandez.

“It’s time to step down and give way to others,” said Go over the phone yesterday.

But he added that he will still be around to help the association with the transition. He hopes to travel with the new Patafa chief to introduce him to the international community.

“That’s what Governor (Jose) Sering did when I replaced him as Patafa president. He brought me around and introduced me to the federation (IAAF) officials,” said Go.

Under his watch, the Patafa had some of its finest moments, including the triumphs of great athletes like Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros and Eduardo Buenavista.

Jose Cojuangco, the POC president, said the fact that they’re not sending a representative doesn’t mean that they’re against Juico.

“If he becomes president, I know there will be big improvements at Patafa,” said Cojuangco.