MANILA, Philippines – Ricky Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), has expressed his willingness to challenge Jose “Peping” Cojuangco for the Philippine Olympic Committee presidency in next month’s elections.
“Yes, if selected by the group of NSAs (national sports associations),” said Vargas, who became ABAP president in 2008.
“We are discussing our options,” said Vargas who is proud of his long pedigree in Philippine sports, being a grandson of Jorge B. Vargas, the first president of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF), the predecessor of the POC. Vargas served as PAAF chief from 1936 to 1955.
The ABAP head’s statements confirmed earlier reports that there’s movement among the NSAs, whether it’s a big group or a small group seeking to find someone to field in the POC elections.
Cojuangco is seeking his fourth term as POC president, and this early the head of the Philippine equestrian association is looking forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The POC elections will take place on Nov. 25. The deadline for the filing of candidacy is on Oct. 24 although there’s word that it’s being extended another week.
“I’m thinking of filing my candidacy for POC president,” said Vargas.
After the Rio Olympics last August, and following the early defeats of boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, Vargas said he was willing to step down as ABAP president and give way to a fresh start.
But things were put on hold, including the ABAP elections.
“Mr. Vargas is the one being considered by the group (of NSAs) in case MVP (Pangilinan) decides not to run,” said a sports official, who already has in his hands a set of candidacy forms obtained from the POC office.
If Vargas goes on to challenge Cojuangco for the presidency, it will be the second time that the former congressman from Tarlac will face a challenge in the elections.
Cojuangco became POC president in 2004 by acclamation and narrowly defeated the late Art Macapagal of shooting in the 2008 elections, 21-19.
In 2012, Cojuangco ran unopposed after Manny V. Pangilinan, the former president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, begged off from seeking the top POC post.
Pangilinan said last week he has no plans of running as POC president next month.
Under POC rules, Cojuangco still needed the votes of the majority even in the absence of a challenger. He earned 32 votes of the 43 votes in 2012.
Jose Romasanta, POC vice president, had previously stated that anybody has the right to run in the POC elections “as long as he or she is qualified.”
Under the requirements, one must be a sitting president of an NSA representing an Olympic sport for at least four years and must be active in the POC general assembly to become a candidate.
The other day, several names cropped up as possible contenders for the POC presidency, including Tom Carrasco of triathlon, Mariano Araneta of football, Congressman Abraham Tolentino of cycling and Richard Gomez of fencing.