Olympic body holds election exercise today

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Olympic Committee will decide today who will lead the country’s sports movement for the next Olympic cycle in a poll exercise under strict health protocols at the East Ocean Palace restaurant in Pasay City.

Incumbent president Abraham Tolentino, who won a special election in July last year following the resignation of Ricky Vargas, vows to rally behind the athletes and forge unity if he wins a fresh four-year mandate.

“If I win, I will focus on our athletes especially since the Tokyo Olympics is next year and we’re aiming for our first gold and I will reach out to NSAs (national sports associations) and unite sports,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino’s ticket consists of triathlon’s Tom Carrasco (chairman), basketball’s Al Panlilio (first vice president), fencing and modern pentathlon’s Richard Gomez (second VP), gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion-Norton (treasurer), baseball’s Chito Loyzaga (auditor) and judo’s Dave Carter, chess’ Butch Pichay, muay’s Pearl Managuelod and surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (board members).

Archery’s Clint Aranas is challenging Tolentino for the top post, bannering a group composed of handball’s Steve Hontiveros (chairman), athletics’ Philip Ella Juico (first VP), wushu’s Julian Camacho (treasurer), and netball’s Charlie Ho, billiards’ Robert Mananquil, soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo and squash’s Robert Bachmann (board members).

Aranas’ group has adopted rugby’s Ada Milby (second VP) and weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella (board member), who are running as independents.

All but one of the 54 voting members are voting without issue including the Philippine Tennis Association, which was allowed to vote by the general assembly that met yesterday online despite the tennis body’s suspension from the International Tennis Federation.

The GA said tennis, headed by Antonio Cablitas, could vote because it has not received official notice from the ITF.