THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is moving to suspend the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) after the latter was handed an immediate suspension by the FIVB, the volleyball's world governing body on Friday.
POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said the Olympic body already received the FIVB's notice and will abide by the world governing body's decision once the matter reaches the POC General Assembly in June.
READ: World volleyball body FIVB suspends PNVF with 'immediate effect'
“The POC will abide by the decision of the [FIVB],” Tolentino said. “It’s their internal rules, but the POC will always be for the welfare of the athletes, their developmental program and the Olympic movement.”
The development came just a day after the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) froze all funding support and engagements involving the PNVF, a move first reported by SPIN.ph.
Hours later, the FIVB suspended the PNVF "with immediate effect," citing serious governance concerns and alleged violations of the FIVB Code of Ethics that are currently under investigation by its independent Ethics Panel.
Incidentally, both Tolentino's POC and the PSC under Gregorio work closely with ousted PNVF president Tats Suzara in major undertakings, including the last Asian Youth Games and the Philippine Women's Open - a WTA 125 tournament.
The world governing body also formed a five-member Ad Hoc Committee to temporarily oversee the affairs of the PNVF during the suspension period.
Tolentino said the POC will seek clarification regarding who will handle the federation's domestic operations moving forward.
“We will clarify who will take over the PNVF’s domestic affairs,” he said.
The PSC had earlier cited concerns involving the alleged absence of legitimate national team participation in the upcoming AVC Women's Cup, operational misalignment in event handling and contractual issues tied to branding commitments during the Beach Pro Tour event in Nuvali.
The suspension places Philippine volleyball in uncertainty just days before the AVC event in Candon City and amid preparations for several major international events.
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