Philta holds elections; POC keeps hands off

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) will hold its elections today – with or without the presence of a representative from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The elections, set at noon at the Philta office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, will be held in the hope of ending a leadership vacuum in the national sports association.

Philta secretary general Romeo Magat said all 12 members of the board are required to attend the elections where the posts of president, vice president, treasurer and secretary-general will be disputed.

Today’s elections will come after three postponements on April 12, April 28 and May 9 this year.

The members of the board are Salvador Andrada, Martin Misa, Manuel Misa, Jolito Villanueva, Randy Villanueva, Gerard Maronilla, Jean Henry Lhuillier, Atty. Antonio Cablitas, Dr. Pablo Olivarez, Edna Olivarez-Nguyen, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Magat.

Lhuillier, the sport’s long-time patron, has expressed his interest to seek the presidency. Insiders said Cablitas, the newest member of the board, is also seeking the top post.

The POC continues to recognize Olivarez as Philta president, and has decided not to send a representative to today’s elections.

“There are elections requirements that have to be met. That’s why the POC is not sending a representative. The POC does not want to get caught in the middle of this,” said POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.

“We have informed the POC of the elections beforehand, and we will push through with it,” said a Philta board member.

Olivarez, the incumbent mayor of Pasay, was elected Philta president in October 2014. During the same exercise, the Philta by-laws were amended, and among the amendments was the change of the term of office of the board of trustees from one year to three years.

However, Olivarez stepped down as president on July 15, 2016 after he was re-elected as mayor of Parañaque City. To avoid a leadership vacuum, an election was held on July 29, 2016, and Andrada was elected president.

However, the POC yesterday said it continues to recognize Olivarez as Philta president, and it’s the latter who must call for the elections.

“If the POC does not send a representative to the elections, then the POC cannot and will not recognize the results,” added Hontiveros, saying the POC decision was made during an emergency board meeting yesterday afternoon.