Bambol: POC may hold elections this year
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the POC elections may be held in November even though the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has adopted a more flexible approach to election cycles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most probably it will push through as mandated by our (POC) constitution,” Tolentino yesterday told The STAR.
As early as last month, the IOC has allowed the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to decide whether to follow the four-year term of office or follow the Olympic Games cycle, and hold their elections next year.
Due to the deadly pandemic, this year’s Tokyo Olympics has been rescheduled to July next year. The Paris Olympics is set in 2024.
The IOC, however, clarified that it will grant extensions to the initial term of office on an exceptional basis.
Tolentino, who is also PhilCycling’s head, was elected POC president after edging athletics chief Philip Juico in a special elections in July last year, and will serve the remainder of Ricky Vargas’ term, which ends in November.
Tolentino can seek the presidency in the next POC elections, whether they are held in November this year or next year. And if successful, the congressman from Tagaytay will earn a fresh four-year term.
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