The International Olympic Committee is keeping an eye open on the “political situation” in the Philippines.
According to Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Jose Romasanta, IOC president Jacques Rogge told POC president Jose Cojuangco in Bali, Indonesia over the weekend that the international body is very much aware of the coming POC elections.
Also taking time for a brief chat with Cojuangco was Pere Miro, the IOC director for NOC (National Olympic Committee) Relations and Olympic Solidarity.
“Mr. Cojuangco was told that the IOC is closely monitoring the coming POC elections, knowing that Mr. Cojuangco is up against the (half) brother of the President (Macapagal-Arroyo),” said Romasanta.
Art Macapagal of shooting is challenging Cojuangco for the top POC post.
“The IOC is making sure that the POC elections will not be tainted with any intervention from the government. They reminded Mr. Cojuangco that all NOCs must be free from any government or political intervention, and said the IOC is closely monitoring the situation here,” he added.
Cojuangco had a chance to meet Rogge and Miro during the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.
Romasanta said that Cojuangco, who is seeking a second term as POC chief, is set to formally announce his ticket for the Nov. 28 elections. Tomorrow is the deadline for the filing of candidacy.
“Kumpleto na (It’s complete),” said Romasanta of the Cojuangco ticket. “Tomorrow (today) we’ll be having dinner and those under the ticket will sign their candidacies just formalize things.”
Macapagal is also set to bare his ticket in a press conference tomorrow.
With close to a month left before the elections, held during Olympic years, both camps have claimed to have the numbers needed to win the race. There are 40 voters in the POC and a simple majority wins it.
A source from within the Macapagal team said they have 16 votes under their belt. They are those from shooting, fencing, gymnastics, softball, triathlon, rowing, squash, sailing, baseball, wrestling, golf, taekwondo, football, dragon boat, billiards and chess.
“Now it’s 16 plus 10. It’s already a certainty,” he said.
On the other hand, Cojuangco is counting on the support of boxing, sepak takraw, wushu, soft tennis, pencak silat, cycling, judo, archery, canoe-kayak, bowling, karatedo, tennis, swimming, lawn balls, bodybuilding, table tennis, basketball, athletics, volleyball and equestrian.