Peping, Carissa differ over EAP voters list

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco yesterday said calling for an election in the Equestrian Association of the Philippines, where his leadership is being disputed by Party List Rep. Carissa Coscolluela, is easier said than done.

Cojuangco said holding an election now will be in violation of the EAP charter which says that the next election should be held in 2012.

“There are two major concerns here. The first is when do we call the election because calling for it now will be against our charter,” said Cojuangco who calls himself as the rightful EAP president despite Coscolluela’s election as EAP head last May.

“And second, who gets to vote? We might need an amendment first and our lawyers are looking into it because even if we agree in calling for an election now, if it’s in violation of our charter then it might set a precedent,” said Cojuangco.

He called for a representative of the Federation Equestre Internationale to come over and witness the election, if and when it is held, and suggested on air that Christopher Hodson, FEI second vice president, be the one to determine who gets to vote.

“If they want, why don’t we let the FEI representative to determine himself who can vote? We have the criteria in our charter, it’s in black and white. Then why doesn’t he decide?” said Cojuangco.

“It is very clear that the elections should be held to the agreement of both parties. And as president of the EAP, the one being recognized by the POC, I have the authority and right to call for the election. But there are two major concerns here,” the POC chief added.

Coscolluela immediately shot down the idea of Hodson deciding who gets to vote.

“The FEI representative is an observer for the purpose of issuing FEI recognition. He’s not here to run the election. That is an internal matter that is altogether separate from FEI recognition. We must run the elections ourselves,” she said.

Coscolluela, a former member of the RP equestrian team, said the EAP is an entity incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, and so its elections should be conducted in accordance with the provisions of its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

“Those instruments determine our membership and the way we conduct our business. And if we faithfully adhere to those documents there will be no question as to the voters list. I think we’re all mature enough to do that,” she said.

Coscolluela added that the FEI representative should be here only to observe, and see for himself which party truly deserves to be called the legitimate party.