Walking the talk

For reelected POC president Rep. Bambol Tolentino, the majority victory of his Team Performance ticket was a vindication of the principles he swore to uphold during the campaign that turned ugly with court cases filed to discredit certain candidates. The elections for 10 positions in the POC Executive Board were held last Friday and in the spirit of Olympic sportsmanship, the results were accepted by everyone at the end of the counting. No protests, no grumbling, only congratulatory handshakes and a fresh promise to move forward as a united POC.

With foul blows coming from all sides, Tolentino chose to take the high road and never stooped down to the level of mudslinging. Through his years as a politician, it’s always been his style to campaign from a position of integrity and respect. “I have been in all stages of political preparations for elections and I have never smeared any name or suggest any damaging remarks against my opponents,” he said in a letter to NSAs. “In that aspect, I also win my opponents’ respect.”

Since winning a special election to succeed Ricky Vargas as POC president in July last year, Tolentino was hampered by an oppositionist Executive Board that held the majority. He couldn’t push through with plans to reform the Constitution and reorganize the POC because of political roadblocks. But last Friday, Tolentino got a resounding mandate from the electorate as eight of his ticket’s candidates took the 10 seats in the Board. Now, Tolentino has a clear path to deliver on his promises.

There were 54 potential votes for casting, 51 from NSAs, two from the Athletes Commission and one from IOC member Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski. In the end, 53 voted with the table tennis NSA unable to make it 100 percent. Steve Hontiveros was reelected chairman, outpolling Tom Carrasco, 28-25. Tolentino was reelected president, beating Clint Aranas, 30-22. Al Panlilio outvoted Philip Juico, 30-23, for first vice president while Richard Gomez won as second vice president over Ada Milby, 31-22. Cynthia Carrion replaced incumbent Julian Camacho, 27-22, for treasurer and Chito Loyzaga defeated Monico Puentevella, 27-24, for auditor. There were eight candidates for four Board Member seats with Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (36), Pearl Managuelod (31), Atty. Charlie Ho (28) and Dave Carter (27) outpolling Robert Bachmann (24), Jeff Tamayo (23), Robert Mananquil (21) and Rep. Butch Pichay (12).

“This proves that we walk our talk,” said Tolentino. “Our accomplishments during the SEA Games and (my) short stint as president were evidence that we did something for the POC. They believe in our leadership and this is a closure for us to unite as one, that the POC will go further and aim for that elusive Olympic gold.” Vargas said, “finally, an era has ended, (it) took a lot of sacrifice, now (there is) a refresh of leadership in the Board sharing the same values, vision and a chance to make things better for Philippine sports.”

Aranas’ Team Sports ticket presented a program for the first 100 days, a list of constitutional amendments, a proposed alignment with the PSC and a draft of new membership classification criteria if it won. Tolentino will likely take a close look at those proposals and perhaps, adopt the relevant ideas in a cooperative effort. Surely, it’s time to close ranks and get together as one. “Olympism is about camaraderie,” said Carrion. “We’re all for the athletes. Honestly, the candidates in Team Sports are all my friends, I love Popoy and Steve. I love all of them. My involvement in sports and the POC is coming from my heart.” If home is where the heart is, the POC is the perfect place to demonstrate how selflessly the new Executive Board will work for the athletes.