MANILA, Philippines - Nagdesisyon si Buddy Andrada na manatili bilang Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) president at nagsagawa ng eleksiyon para sa iba pang posisyon na naging dahilan para mag-walk-out ang grupo ni presidential aspirant Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Nagbago ang isip ni Andrada, nauna nang nagsabing bababa na siya sa posisyon dahil sa problema sa kalusugan noong Disyembre at nagsabi sa board na hindi na niya itutuloy ang nalalabing panahon sa kanyang three-year term na nakuha niya noong July 2016 election.
“I previously told them I might resign due to health reasons but I decided to stay put on my post because I’m well already, I’m very strong now and the members of the board of trustees want me to stay and continue,” sabi ni Andrada.
Sinabi ni Lhuillier at ng kanyang mga kaalyado na sina Lito at Randy Villanueva kasama si Virgillo Maronilla na hindi nila kinikilala ang July 2016 proceeding na nagbalik kay Andrada sa presidency.
Dahil walang eleksiyon para sa pagka-presidente, iniwan ng apat si Andrada at anim pang board na dumating sa eleksiyon kahapon.
Si Romeo Magat ang naibotong vice president at siya ring secretary-general habang si Martin Misa ang nahalal na treasurer. Si Netball chief Charles Ho ay naging observer mula sa Philippine Olympic Committee.
“We wanted to participate in this election properly but they misled us and now we’ll look at our legal options,” sabi ni Randy Villanueva.
“My group is keeping our options open and we’ll take it day-by-day. But for sure, I will continue to support tennis in the Philippines as it is my passion,” sabi ni Lhuillier. “Bottomline is, we’re not participating today because we didn’t believe the process was done right.”
“What we did was all legal, they’re in our constitution and by-laws,” sabi ng 80-gulang na si Andrada. “I encourage opposition because we have a democratic system here. I even encourage the opposition to go to court, seek legal remedies.”