Archery prexy role in POC poll questioned

A distinguished group of archers are questioning Leonora Brawner’s right to represent the National Archery Association of the Philippines in the coming Philippine Olympic Committee elections.

Kit Cojuangco, the group’s representative, yesterday said that Brawner can no longer stand as president of NAAP because she had already resigned from her post in January of 2006.

“She already resigned – irrevocably in 2006. And now she’s going to vote. Not only that, she is running as POC director, too,” said Cojuangco, nephew of POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

He showed media a copy of Brawner’s “resignation letter” which never really took effect as Brawner continued to run the association.

Cojuangco, who enjoyed his highest world ranking of No. 41 out of 6,000 archers last year, claimed that there have been anomalies within NAAP over the last few years, and that it’s time to stop.

“Majority of the athletes are with us – the clear majority, the legit majority,” said Cojuangco, showing papers bearing the signatures of the country’s finest archers.

In the group are Amaya Paz, Jennifer Chan, Christian Cubilla, Joan Chan Tabanag, Abby Tindugan, Janet Bernas, Kat Santos, Jasmine Figueroa, Marvin Cordero, Don Sombrio, Cocoy Cubilla, Florante Matanian, Wayne Larsen, Fermin Barrenechea, Raul Arambulo, Gen Pedregosa, Bubut Jimenez, Neil Divinagracia, Zander Reyes, Kris San Gabriel and Anthony and Alexander Adriano.

Coaches Rowel Metro, Jun Cortez and Crispin Gimena are also in the group.

The STAR called up the NAAP office but not even its personnel could give Brawner’s contact number.

The POC president said the issue has something to do with the Nov. 28 elections of the Olympic body. Brawner is one of Cojuangco’s supporters and is in fact running under his ticket.

He said Brawner resigned in 2006 after her secretary-general, Ligaya Manalang, was accused of malversation. But she went on to serve as president as member of a special committee formed by the POC.

In the same predicament is swimming president Mark Joseph, another Cojuangco supporter whose right to vote and run in the coming POC elections is being questioned by a disgruntled group within.

Other national sports associations with leadership disputes so close to the elections are wrestling, wushu, badminton and karatedo.

“We are not the trouble-makers here. I wouldn’t risk my name here. But there have been anomalies within NAAP. It’s a difficult situation but this is what the athletes want. This is the rule of law,” said Cojuangco.    – Abac Cordero