Garcia top pick as chef de mission

With nine months left before the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, the Philippines has yet to name its chef-de-mission to the biennial event where it is the reigning overall champion.

And while there’s really no hurry in filling up the position, Ritchie Garcia of the Philippine Sports Commission has emerged as the most logical choice as RP chef-de-mission.

"Yes, he’s (Garcia) the front-runner," said Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta of Garcia, the long-time PSC commissioner and member of the SEA Games task force.

Also in the task force are wushu’s Julian Camacho, swimming’s Mark Joseph, squash’s Romeo Ribano and another member of the PSC board, Joey Mundo.

The choice of chef-de-mission is the prerogative of POC president Jose Cojuancgo.

Some quarters believe that the POC must soon name the chef-de-mission so he could start coordinating with the different working committees for the country’s SEA Games participation.

"But there’s really no need to hurry especially if the chef-de-mission will be chosen from within the current circle or from among the members of the task force," said Romasanta.

"And if it’s commissioner Garcia being named later on, probably in a month, then I don’t see any difference because he’s already there inside," Romasanta added. – Abac Cordero