Romasanta na sa POC

Vargas nag-resign

MANILA, Philippines — Nagulat ang buong sporting community matapos magbitiw si Ricky Vargas bilang presidente ng Phi-lippine Olympic Committee kahapon sa isinagawang POC Board Executive Session na ginanap sa PhilSports Complex sa Pasig City.

Ibinaba ng 67-anyos na si Vargas ang kanyang irrevocable resignation sa pamamagitan ni POC chairman at Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham Tolentino na may petsang Hunyo 18, 2019.

“This is to inform the Executive Board of the Phi-lippine Olympic Committee that I am tendering my irrevocable resignation from the post of President of the organization, effective immediately. After much introspection, I have determined that there would be other sports leaders who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC more effectively, ayon kay Vargas sa kanyang sulat.

Ayon naman kay archery association president Clint Aranas, ang tumatayong spokesman ng majority ng POC board na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakasunud-sunod ang first vice-president na si Joey Romasanta ang hahalili kay Vargas bilang acting president ng Olympic body.

“I have requested Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio to assist the incoming president in the smooth transition of leadership until he-the new president- shall have appointed his own Secretary-General,” dagdag ni Vargas.

Si Robert Bachman ng squash association of the Philippines naman ang napabalitang kapalit ni Gregorio ng boxing association bilang bagong secretary-general. Si Gregorio ay co-terminus ni Vargas bilang appointed sec-gen.

Humingi naman ng pag-unawa si Vargas sa lahat ng mga atleta at mga national sports associations (NSAs) na sumusuporta sa kanya loob ng 16 na buwan bilang ika-sampung pangulo ng POC. Si Vargas ay nahalal bilang POC prexy sa isang court-ordered election noong Pebrero, 2018.

“I ask for the understanding of all concerned, most especially the athletes and NSAs who have supported my initiatives in the organization. Rest assured, I will continue to support Philippine sports in my private capacity, particularly as an official of the MVP Sports Foundation and as President of ABAP,” pahayag ni Vargas.

Magdaraos naman ang bagong liderato ng POC ng General Assemblysa Hunyo 25 sa GSIS gym sa Pasay City para sa kumpirmasyon ni Romasanta bilang acting president hanggang sa nakatakdang regular election ng Olympic body sa Nobyembre, 2020.