Insisting he's PKF head, Go files TRO

MANILA, Philippines - The brewing leadership issue within the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) got even more complicated when a Temporary Restraining Order (RTO) was filed before a Pasig Regional Trial Court Monday seeking to stop the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from recognizing Joey Romasanta as acting president of the karatedo body.

Go Teng Kok reasoned out that resorting to legal matter is the only option left for him in his claim as the rightful head of the beleaguered sports association.

Accompanied by PKF legal counsel Atty. Sammy Estimo, Go brought with him copy of the legal injunction in a rare appearance at the PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s UN Ave.

Named respondents were Romasanta, POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.

“We resorted to legal means because we want to ask the court from prohibiting these people from implementing unlawful decisions,” said Go.

Subject of Go’s contention was the recent decision of the POC executive council to recognize Romasanta as acting head of the PKF, notwithstanding the fresh mandate he received during the body’s recent general assembly.

During the meeting, Go claimed to have gotten the support of 15 of the association’s 22 members, and 14 of 19 of its board directors.

Romasanta was a no-show during the assembly, but previously claimed that 10 of the 22 directors voted to oust Go as president and installed him as acting head.

In its decision, the POC stressed Romasanta will run the affairs of the PKF on an acting capacity, and suggested that it holds another election in May to settle the dispute once and for all.

But Estimo said the TRO is meant to `rectify what has been unlawfully done’, adding Go, who had been at the helm of the PKF since 2008, had not been even given due process by the POC.

“What’s the basis of the POC for appointing Mr. Romasanta as acting president of the PKF?,” Estimo asked.

The decision by Go to drag the POC to court also meant the end of his long-standing association with Cojuangco, whom many believed won a second term as president of the country’s Olympic governing body through the influence of Go.