Letter to the editor

This is the response of Mr. Roger Dullano, past president Philippine Weightlifting Association, to the earlier articles of The Freeman titled “POC thumbs down Monico's plan” and “Cebu urges POC to call for weightlifting election”.

Mr. Felix Tiukinhoy  Cebu City

Dear Mr. Tiukinhoy,

Now that our Olympic sport is on the upswing, winning medals in international Tournaments, after fifteen years of continuous hardship and sacrifice, it pains us to know that you are throwing false and malicious accusations against our Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (Philippine Weightlifting Assn.) President Monico O. Puentevella. Amusing to note that after more than ten years of being our NSA President since 2003 and even becoming the first and only Filipino President of the ASIAN WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION (AWF), you dare question the qualification and capability of Congressman Puentevella. Notwithstanding the fact that he also became the Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee for four good years and Director of the International Weightlifting Federation also for four years. And now, appointed as Director for Marketing of the International Weightlifting Federation.

As former Director of the same PWA, what have you contributed to our sport? What have you done?

It was also during the Congressman’s leadership of PWA and AWF that Hidilyn was able to join the Beijing Olympics as the youngest athlete (17 yrs) in the Games at that time and consequently, the London Olympics. Hidilyn started in the  Batang Pinoy Games, fifteen years ago, also a project of then PSC Comm. Puentevella.

The change in name of the Philippine Weightlifting Assn. to Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas is mandated by law, as requested by the PSC, in order to update the status of all NSA’s with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Also requested by the POC and the PSC.  This is not only Puentevella’s decision but the Board as a whole. For your information, PWA’s last President in SEC records was Graham Lim, who has been exiled by the Philippine government, and was never renewed for 15 long years since 2003. This was the year he was elected PWA President in Cebu with the concurrence of the PWA founders, the late Col. Narciso A. Alino Sr. and our present Chairman Mark Alino. We only recently discovered all this when we inquired about the PWA status with SEC, which eventually delisted PWA from their files and records since 2003.  Thus, we are forced to use the new name to comply with government regulations. And isn’t it a fact that you also signed our new SWP papers with SEC? As well as affirm the election of Cong.Puentevella two years ago replacing me as President together with the Board?

What happened Mr. Tiukinhoy? You claim with Cebu media that  you recently sent two lifters to join the Indonesian Weightlifting Championships in Bali two weeks ago. SWP also sent four lifters and we won 4 golds, 5 silvers, and 3 bronzes. All four athletes we sent won medals for the country. What happened to the two lifters you claim you sent for Cebu? Sorry to say NADA. Is this your way of producing the country’s first Olympic gold medal? Best way you can help is to stop peddling stories. We are too old for this mudslinging.

And by the way, some of the people working with you in Cebu cannot be accepted anymore by the SWP (PWA) Board for acts inimical to the interest of our sport in the past. This is just to guide you for your own interest in the future. And this is why we have banned Mr. Atilano and Himotas also in the past.

I understand Cong.Puentevella invited you to the  Board meetings time and again, but you never showed up. Guess you have now made your decision. Thank you for being a part of us before. We appreciate your past support and we wish you good luck in your own undertakings.

Respectfully in Sports,

ROGER DULLANO

Past President

Philippine Weightlifting Association