NEW Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Joey Romasanta assured a sudden change in leadership of the national Olympic body will not affect the hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Romasanta vowed the SEA Games will be staged by a collaborative organization that will involve both the POC and Philippine Sports Commission, unlike the current setup where the preparations for the hosting is being handled by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation.
“I would like to revert back to the original formula na kung puwede, ang POC ang magpatakbo ng palaro, mag-identify ng sports and events at mga kailangan nila, venues and all, kailangan ng inputs ng NSAs,” said Romasanta, who assumed the presidency following the resignation of Ricky Vargas.
Romasanta also wants the POC to be in charge of the private sponsorship funds while letting the PSC handle the accounting of the government funds, unlike the Phisgoc set-up where both private and public funds are being handled by the same group.
“Para hindi mahirap ang accounting, isa na lang ang government funds ang naga-account doon at kung ano man ‘yung private funds, kami na bahala. I will propose that and I hope that is workable and acceptable to all,” said Romasanta.
The formation of the Phisgoc Foundation became a contentious issue at the POC, with Romasanta's camp alleging that it was formed with Vargas as incorporator and without the knowledge of the POC board.
Vargas agreed to meet majority of the board members on Tuesday to discuss the issue, but filed his irrevocable resignation during the proceedings.
As for the Phigsoc chaired by Taguig congressman-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, Romasanta said he wants it to be organized as a true committee.
“Of course, we are still looking at it," said Romasanta, adding he plans to meet with Cayetano to convince Phisgoc to "transition from what they have now into a committee."
“Ang lament ng POC board is maraming bagay na tumatakbo pero hindi namin nalalaman. Everyone is on board and all the efforts are communicated so we should be able to have a working board and POC community,” said Romasanta.
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