New mandate for Dayrit

In an election process described as peaceful, orderly and gentlemanly, incumbent president Celso Dayrit handily beat athletics chief Go Teng Kok for the Philippine Olympic Committee presidency, in the process leading his partymates to a sweep of all the vital positions disputed at the Philippine Columbian Association ballroom.

The 48-year-old Dayrit garnered 22 of the 34 votes cast – with one abstention – against the 11 of Go who, days before the election, claimed to have the support of at least 15 National Sports Associations.

The victory gave Dayrit a new, rightful mandate that will finally erase the memories of his tumultuous climb to the top of the POC ladder last year when he had to muster the support of most NSAs, including that of Go, to oust former POC president and presidential daughter Cristy Ramos in a coup.

Joining Dayrit as winners were chairman Robert Aventajado of taekwondo with 22 votes, first vice president Steve Hontiveros of bowling (17), second vice president Claudio Altura of sailing (20), treasurer Benjie Ramos of rowing (26), auditor Noel Buenaventura of gymnastics (22) and Freddie Jalasco of basketball (26), Manny Lopez of boxing (23), Tom Carrasco of triathlon (18) and Rene Adad of football (17) as members of the executive board.

Those who failed in their respective bids, aside from the 56-year-old Go, were Capt. Rey Jaylo of judo (16), Maj. Gen. Mario Tanchanco of sepak takraw (13), Rodones Sicat of weightlifting (11) and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of pencak silat (16), Joaquin Preysler of cycling (13) and Joaquin Perez de Tagle of snooker and billiards (12) as board members. Aventajado ran unopposed, Ramos was common candidate while Hector Navasero was disqualified due to his absence, being in Germany for personal reasons.

After being declared winner, Dayrit shook the hands of almost everybody present and turned to mediamen for a short interview.

"I’d like to thank the Lord for guiding us all. We are now more committed to the growth of Philippine sports and on top of my priorities will be the strengthening of the various NSAs. I believe that the strength of the POC lies on the strength of the NSAs," said Dayrit.

Before leaving the PCA premises, Go offered no excuses for his defeat. "I humbly accept the results of this election. Now it’s time to get back to work. I also thank those who voted for me and as I’ve said before, win or lose...happy ako. I’m happy that the elections were peaceful and that eleven votes ang nakuha ko," he said. During the 1996 POC elections, Ramos defeated Dayrit 17-16 with Go, the third man on the ring, garnering just to votes.