FVR bats for elections; board tackles POC issue?

MANILA, Philippines — Here’s an unsolicited advise from former president Fidel V. Ramos to the Philippine Olympic Committee as far as the court-ordered POC elections on Feb. 23 is concerned: Go ahead.

“Ituloy na nila yan (They should hold it),” the former chief executive told The STAR in an ambush interview the other night at Sofitel Manila.

The former president is outside looking in, and is aware of the current POC situation. His daughter, Cristy Ramos, was POC president from 1997 until 1999.

The POC is embroiled in a leadership dispute after a Pasig City court ruled the Nov. 25, 2016 POC elections “null and void.”

In that exercise, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco ran unopposed and won a fourth term after his challenger, Ricky Vargas of boxing, was disqualified from the race.

Cycling’s Abraham Tolentino, who sought the chairmanship, was also disqualified by the POC Comelec for their failure to establish themselves as active members of the POC.

Last Dec. 21, the court ruled that the POC acted “beyond its powers” to disqualify Vargas and Tolentino, and ordered new elections for the top two posts on Feb. 23.

A growing number of NSA (national sports association) leaders want the POC to comply with the court order, push through with the elections, and respect the results.

If Cojuangco, POC president since 2004, wins, then so be it. Otherwise, it’s time to pass the torch.

“Give the younger ones a chance,” said the former president.

The POC board will convene today at Philsports in Pasig City, with the leadership dispute expected to be on top of the agenda.

“I think it will be tackled,” Cojuangco told The STAR.

Jose Romasanta of karatedo, POC first vice president, said it’s wiser for the POC to comply with the court order and hold the elections.

Romasanta, now 73, is Cojuangco’s longest-serving ally, the former having served the Cojuangco family for more than half of his life.

 “As a citizen of the Republic and as an officer of a law-abiding institution like the POC, I am expected of us to uphold the rule of law,” Romasanta said. He added that he has no intentions of running for POC president.

“I will not be a candidate for such election (for president). But we have to adhere to and comply with a lawful order of the court without prejudice to usage of any appropriate legal remedy that may be available,” he added.