Lopez calls for reforms in POC

MANILA, Philippines - Unable to run for the POC presidency because of a technicality in the eligibility rules, Manny Lopez said yesterday the position is secondary to his primary motive of initiating reforms and change in the country’s Olympic body.

Last Wednesday, the General Assembly met for over two hours at Wack Wack to discuss election guidelines even as Election Committee chairman Concoy Chaves was absent. POC chairman Monico Puentevella described the discussions as “heated.”

“We wanted a clarification on the qualifications of a candidate for chairman and president,” said Lopez. “In the end, it was resolved that the final arbiter to determine qualification is the General Assembly.” Deadline to file candidacy is Oct. 26 with the Election Committee to review the qualifications of each candidate. A candidate whose qualification is questioned by the Election Committee may bring up his or her case to the General Assembly for adjudication.

Lopez said Ricky Palou of the Election Committee attended the meeting and said in his opinion, a candidate representing an NSA which has been active the last four years in competing here and abroad should qualify. Chaves and the other Election Committee member, Br. Bernie Oca, however, were not present to share their views. In the meeting, 37 of the 43 NSAs qualified to vote attended.

“This is all about selflessness,” said Lopez. “We are looking for people willing to serve without personal benefit. I think it’s time we move forward with a fresh leadership, to give the next generation a chance to show what it can do for Philippine sports. I still don’t know who will run against Mr. Cojuangco. I leave that up to God.”

Earlier, Chaves said there should be no debate on the election guidelines because they were the same rules applied in the previous POC elections four years ago. POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros organized the Election Committee. The elective positions are chairman, president, first vice president, second vice president, treasurer, auditor and four executive board members. The eight positions, other than chairman and president, will be filled by representatives of regular members provided they are the president, secretary-general or vice president of the NSA for at least two years.

The 43 voters are IOC representative Frank Elizalde, Harry Tañamor and Marestella Torres of the Athletes Commission and the president or secretary-general of 40 NSAs. Five associate members (arnis, duckpin bowling, dancesport, powerlifting and tournament bridge) and five recognized members (boardsailing, motorcycling, sports climbing, finswimming and wakeboarding/water skiing) are not qualified to vote.

Vargas said he knows MVP can make a difference in a major leadership capacity in sports but the prospect of engaging in politics is a damper. “I’m sure MVP wants to maintain a good relationship with Mr. Cojuangco,” said Vargas. “For sure, there is a lot that MVP can do as POC president but is it a position that he needs to make a difference? We want to find out what the NSAs think.”