Peping bares lineup, claims solid 20 votes

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr. yesterday said he can muster 21 votes to beat shooting president Art Macapagal in the POC elections on Nov. 28.

This came about as Cojuangco announced his 20-man roster that includes boxing’s Manny Lopez, sepak takraw’s Mario Tanchanco, wushu’s Julian Camacho, soft tennis’ Peter Gaisano and pencak silat’s Sultan Jamalul Kiram as first and second vice presidents, treasurer, assistant treasurer and auditor, respectively.

Also in the slate were cycling’s Bert Lina, judo’s Dave Carter, archery’s Leonora Brawner and canoe-kayak’s Sim Chi Tat as board of directors while bowling’s Steve Hontiveros, karatedo’s Joey Romasanta, tennis’ Buddy Andrada and swimming’s Mark Joseph are set to be appointed in non-elected posts.

Positions in key committees await lawn balls’ Rey Pineda, bodybuilding’s Sonny Lim, table tennis’ Col. Cesar Binag, basketball’s Noli Eala, athletic’s Go Teng Kok and volleyball’s Pedro Mendoza to complete the 20-man Cojuangco line-up.

Cojuangco left the chairman post vacant after weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella, a Bacolod representative, decided to run as an independent candidate.

The Cojuangco group is hoping to get the deciding 21st vote from International Olympic Committee representative to RP Frank Elizalde, who has voting rights.

But Cojuangco admitted in a morning radio program that he has yet to talk to all the individuals in his team.

Softball’s Harry Angping, running under the Macapagal ticket, said they would announce their own slate upon the arrival of Macapagal from Europe this weekend.

“I’m not at a liberty to announce our ticket but I can only tell you we have a solid 16 in our group,” said Angping. “Art is doing his homework, he’s talking to the NSAs one by one.

“We might have a handful undecided NSAs who are leaning in our group,” he added.