JUST when everyone thought the Philippine Oympic Committee (POC) election would be a smooth and trouble-free exercise, it now appears there is more to this than meets the eye after the two presidential candidates - incumbent Bambol Tolentino and challenger Chito Loyzaga - filed separate petitions to disqualify the other from running.
The disqualification petitions, which were filed before the POC Election Committee on Tuesday, involved two other candidates, and practically ensured that the coming polls, like many in the past, will be a hotly-contested one and may likely divide the sports community for some time.
READ Al Panlilio calls for unity, harmony within POC ahead of polls
Tolentino, who seemed to have the post locked up because of the country's sterling and exceptional performance in the last two Olympics under his term, has committed what Loyzaga's camp says is an ethics violation, citing the incumbent's failure to submit an annual audited financial statement of the association, not just for one year, but for the past six years.
The first two years were when Tolentino was POC chairman of the board from 2018-2019, and when he was president from 2019-2023. The petition cited four articles in the POC By-Laws as grounds for disqualification.
"These issues represent significant breaches of the POC By-Laws which set out the standards of transparency, accountability and ethical governance required of POC leadership," the petitioner said.
The complaint, however, noted that an annual audited financial statements or AFS, was "hastily completed in January 2024."
The delayed submission, the complaint continued, "represents a severe lapse in maintaining these principles and undermines ethical financial practices."
Loyzaga personally presented his complaint before the POC Election Commission headed by lawyer Teodore Kalaw IV during the commission's meeting on Tuesday to hear the disqualification petition which were also filed against two other candidates for other positions in the POC board.
READ Chito Loyzaga steps up to challenge Bambol Tolentino for POC presidency
But one of those petitioned, Robert Bachmann of squash, running for vice-presient under Loyzaga's ticket, got the green light after the complainant, Vovinam’s Jose Ponciano Malonzo, withdrew his protest against Bachmann’s candidacy.
The details of the disqualification petition against Loyzaga, however, were not officially available but sources said it cited, among others, the president of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association's absences during POC general assembly meetings.
It will be recalled that this was the same complaint leveled against Ricky Vargas when he ran for president against Peping Cojuangco many years ago.
The election committee, however, deferrred its decision regarding the petitions for dsiqualifications and asked that all the parties submit their summations on Saturday.
“With the summation we could determine the merits of their protests,” said Kalaw, who, however, didn’t provide a timeline for the election committee to decide on the arguments.
With Tolentino during the proceedings were his candidates for POC board members Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Alexander “Ali” Sulit (judo) and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing), as well as POC secretary general Wharton Chan and head of legal Billy Sumagui.
Loyzaga also brought along his candidates who include Bachmann, Freddie Jalasco (wushu) and Rommel Miranda (kurash), as well as gymnastics deputy secretary general Rowena Bautista Eusuya.
Lean Carlo Macoto of the Aranas Cruz Araneta Parker and Faustino law firm presented some of Loyzaga’s arguments but he, along with Loyzaga and Bachmann, left the proceedings before it was adjourned by Kalaw, leaving Jalasco and Eusuya to represent the group.
Tolentino didn’t comment on the proceeding but said that the “POC election procedures must be followed.”
The third member of the election committee, San Juan de Letran Calamba Rector and President Rev. Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, O.P., excused himself from the hearing.
POC voting members
The POC has 61 voting members who will elect by secret balloting the organization’s president, first and second vice presidents, treasurer, auditor and five members of the executive board.
In Tolentino’s ticket are basketball’s Alfredo “Al” Panlilio (first vice president), modern pentathlon’s Rep. Richard Gomez (second vice president), surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (treasurer) and volleyball’s Donaldo “Don” Caringal (auditor) and canoe-kayak’s Leonora “Len” Escolante (executive board).
Loyzaga's ticket include, besides Bachmann, Rod Roque of weightlifting (auditor), Rep. Peter Miguel of archery, Charlie Ho of netball, Rommel Miranda of kurash, Derek Ramsay of gymnastics and Steven Virata of equestrian.
The winner of this election will oversee the country's preparations for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
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