Has it come to this?

A rude “don’t want to talk about it.” An imperious slamming of the table. A dictatorial command to turn off the microphone. A hissy fit walk-out. All these describe behaviors more befitting of a tantrum-throwing debutante than a seasoned octogenarian politician. The actions likewise manifested disrespect to duly-elected heads of their sports. Can’t they see how bad it looks on us all? And yet, here we are.

How has it come to this?

It has come to this mainly because of a fearful majority, a lack of courage in numbers, a preponderance of thinking for one’s self, one’s association, rather than the nation’s sports as a whole. Of doing what is convenient, not what is right. Bullies feed on that fear, nay, they feast on it. They cultivate it in a warped quid pro quo that is not theirs to give. You get to keep your funding, but only if you keep me in power.

National Sports Association leaders have been conditioned to accept a fish when they can all fish for themselves and weaken Peping Cojuangco’s chokehold on them. The irony of it all is that they own the figurative fish, the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Why should they kowtow if they are the legitimate leaders of their sport? Is it a sign that they themselves have no confidence in their political ascendancy? The NSAs that have stood up to Cojuangco are autonomous. They don’t need him to stay in power because they are doing their job.

There have been so many rumors that a majority of POC members are now against Cojuangco, but are hiding in the shadows until they are assured that boxing leader Ricky Vargas will triumph. You can call it being pragmatic. There’s another word for it: cowardice. Pardon me for saying this, but it appears that they’re just waiting for another teat to suckle, when they could take true leadership and fight for what was theirs to begin with.

Even the embattled Joey Romasanta, who has benefited from Cojuangco’s favor all these years, who was gifted for his loyalty with two sports to lead, has broken away. Whether it is a bout of fevered conversion or an attempt at self-preservation, at least it’s a start. They will still answer for what they need to answer for, according to the Philippine Sports Commission. In these situations, bullies have only one recourse: tighten the reins around the subservient, confirm loyalty, weed out perceived traitors, and take out their frustrations on those who are still listening.

It is ironic that the International Olympic Committee does not intervene in its members’ affairs, yet the POC controls its own, to the point of hushing up members who seek compromise and partnerships with the PSC, among others. But unless you are among the anointed, forget it.

Realistically, this issue may not end with an election this month. If Cojuangco and company do not participate (which is most likely), they will argue that the full extent of the legal process – their appeal, review and other obfuscation – was not followed, and the court-mandated voting will be invalid. And even if they are found in contempt, that will take time. Meanwhile, our athletes, the SEA Games, and other matters are being held hostage. Cojuangco knows this, and unless the government, at least through the PSC, steps in to take charge (if it is allowed to) we will have a bare-bones Philippine SEA Games next year, or face the indignity of not having any at all. Worse, if we end up with two claimants to the POC leadership, we could be suspended, and there will be much more blame to pass around.

In the meantime, the independent sports (boxing, basketball, et al), non-POC member sports (like bodybuilding), new sports (tchoukball and others) and some associate member sports are functioning fully. That is the best part, that they are standing on their own, a further dilution of the POC’s hold over individual sports.

This writer has also confirmed that some international federations don’t care whether teams from the Philippines have the POC imprimatur or not, as long as they participate. They realize that any legitimization granted by the POC is a rubber stamp unless it’s the Olympic Games or Asian Games. The SEA Games is a different animal because a lot of the decisions are more subjective and political, to say the least.

Where does this leave Philippine sports? Though they are gaining ground, Vargas and company are treading unprecedented waters. All that is certain is that nothing is certain, and we may lose the SEA Games or more. It is an issue of false pride reminiscent of the god-forsaken TV dramas this country eats for dinner. And all for what, an undeserved title as head of a country’s sports body?

I hope it’s worth it.