MANILA, Philippines — Based on their own interpretation, the lawyers of boxing chief Ricky Vargas said the order of the Pasig City court calling for POC elections for the posts of president and chairman on Feb. 23 is “immediately executory.”
The court-ordered elections, they said, should push through despite the decision of the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board to file an appeal and a motion for the issuance of a TRO (temporary restraining order).
The TRO is meant to prevent the Feb. 23 elections from happening.
Otherwise, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, in his fourth term as POC chief since 2004, will have no choice but face Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines, in the elections.
Like Vargas, cycling head Abraham Tolentino is not eligible to run for a POC position after the Pasig court ruled last Dec. 21 the results of the POC election on Nov. 25, 2016 “null and void.”
Vargas’ lawyers from the Angara, Abello, Concepcion, Regala and Cruz Law Firm (ACCRA) are requesting the Pasig City court to “direct the POC” to push through with the elections, saying the POC has no other choice but to comply with the court order.
“We requested the court to already direct the POC executive board and the election committee to do all necessary acts to effect the election,” said ACCRA lawyer George SD. Aquino.
“We believe this is a ministerial act of said POC committee to follow a court order and we are confident said elections will be held forthwith,” he added.
The POC executive board met last Wednesday and decided to file the motions for appeal and TRO not later than Monday.
Allies of Cojuangco, the equestrian chief, said there’s no ground to call for new elections for the positions of president and chairman because the 2016 elections were held in accordance with the POC by-laws and the International Olympic Committee charter.
Cojuangco is unfazed with all the developments, and has repeatedly warned of possible suspension by the IOC of the Philippines due to government interference.
Vargas’ lawyers yesterday filed their latest motion before Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang, seeking that the court direct the POC executive board to hold the elections as earlier ordered by the court.
Vargas and Tolentino, both seeking change in the POC leadership and eventually the course of Philippine sports, were disqualified from running in the 2016 elections for their alleged failure to establish their membership in the POC general assembly.
But the court has ruled that the POC elections committee acted “beyond its powers” in disqualifying Vargas and Tolentino, and had ordered new elections.