Go wavers on move to disqualify Aventajado

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok yesterday said he will not pursue the disqualification of Robert Aventajado as candidate for Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman if he is assured that the taekwondo chief is actively involved in his National Sports Association (NSA) despite failing to attend General Assembly meetings.

Go’s ally Joaquin Preysler of cycling opposed Aventajado’s candidacy in a letter to the POC Commission on Elections (Comelec) the other day. Preysler also questioned Steve Hontiveros’ eligibility as candidate.

Aventajado is running unopposed as POC chairman while Hontiveros of bowling and Capt. Reynaldo Jaylo of judo are disputing the vice president position.

The POC elections will be held at the Philippine Columbian Association in Paco on Nov. 24.

"The rules of eligibility are clear," said Go who is opposing Celso Dayrit as POC president. "A candidate must have been active the last two years. Unfortunately, Mr. Aventajado has not attended a General Assembly meeting since Mr. Dayrit took over from Cristy (Ramos) 18 months ago. As for Mr. Hontiveros, he became the vice president of bowling only last September. The rule is a candidate must be the president or vice president or treasurer of an NSA for two years."

If Aventajado is disqualified, the position of chairman will be vacant since there is no other candidate. The chairmanship was created when Dayrit assumed the POC presidency last year. It was originally an appointive post but the POC constitution was subsequently amended to make it elective.

The deadline for filing objections or petitions for disqualification of candidates lapsed yesterday. Comelec chairman Gen. Rene Cruz said a candidate whose qualification is under question has until Nov. 20 to submit his defense. Cruz added that the Comelec will decide with finality any issues regarding qualification of candidates and will not entertain eligibility questions on election day.

POC secretary-general Romeo Ribano told The Star yesterday when Aventajado is not able to attend a General Assembly meeting, he sends his representative Carlos (Ping) Fernandez.

"I don’t think failure to attend General Assembly meetings means inactivity," said Ribano. "I can assure Mr. Go that Mr. Aventajado is an active NSA president. Besides, he is represented by Mr. Fernandez in the General Assembly if he cannot attend so we presume he is informed of all matters taken up in the meetings."

As for Hontiveros, Ribano said the Comelec will interpret the eligibility rule to decide on the issue. "Mr. Hontiveros has been president of bowling for several years," explained Ribano. "While it is true that he was elected vice president only last September, the rule does not state if the requirement is the last two years or any two years."

Go said the intent of filing the objections is only to clarify the rules. "We only want to bring certain things to the attention of the Comelec," he continued. "If Mr. Aventajado has been active, then he should be eligible as POC chairman. What we don’t want are POC officials who are politically-inclined. We want the POC to be neutral — we don’t need POC officials to attend demonstrations or protest rallies of whatever nature."

Other candidates are Claudio Altura for yachting and Gen. Mario Tanchanco of sepak takraw for second vice president, Benjamin Ramos of rowing as treasurer (unopposed), Noel Buenaventura of gymnastics and Rodones Sicat of weightlifting as auditor, and Rene Adad of football, Tomas Carrasco of triathlon, Freddie Jalasco of basketball, Sultan Jamalul Kiram of pencak siklat, Manny Lopez of boxing, Joaquin Preysler of cycling, Joaquin Perez de Tagle of billiards, and Hector Navasero of baseball for the four seats in the Executive Board.

Ribano said Navasero will be scratched as a candidate if he fails to attend the polls. "Mr. Navasero informed me he will be abroad during the election and will be represented by his secretary-general Ernesto Abarrientos," said Ribano. "Since he cannot attend the elections, Mr. Navasero will not be qualified to run. I’m not sure if he was really interested to run. I think his name was just inserted in the candidates list."