Lina drops out of POC elections

Cycling chief Bert Lina yesterday withdrew from running as a member of the board under the ticket of incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. two days before the POC elections.

The STAR source said that the Air21 executive is out of the country and will not be present during the polls set tomorrow at the Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa City.

“He (Lina) cannot attend Friday’s election because he is abroad, a commitment set long ago and the rule is to be physically present to be voted upon,” said the source.

Lina, in fact, has faxed his withdrawal letter to the POC elections committee composed of chairman Victorico Chaves and members Ricky Palou of Ateneo and Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC, of La Salle, Tuesday and has sent a messenger to make it official.

POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said they were surprised with Lina’s decision.

“All of a sudden, we couldn’t contact him (Lina),” said Romasanta. “But we’re trying to reach him now and resolve this.”

The Lina withdrawal leaves Cojuangco, who is running against shooting chief Art Macapagal, with a depleted ticket composed of boxing’s Manny Lopez (first vice president), sepak takraw’s Mario Tanchangco (second vice president), wushu’s Julian Camacho (treasurer), pencak silat’s Jamalul Kiram (auditor) and judo’s Dave Carter, archery’s Leonora Brawner and canoeing’s Sim Chi Tat (board of directors).

Macapagal’s group has an intact roster with taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado (chair), chess’ Bambol Tolentino (first vice), football’s Pablito Araneta (second vice), squash’s Romeo Ribano (treasurer), dragon boat’s Jodie Hakim (auditor) and sailing’s Claudio Altura, volleyball’s Pedro Martinez, baseball’s Hector Navasero and soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo (directors).

Meanwhile, the archery group of Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco Jr. has sought a temporary restraining order to stop archery president Leonora Brawner from voting in tomorrow’s elections. The case was being heard at press time before Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 52 of Judge Antonio Rosales.

In boxing, outgoing ABAP president Manny Lopez was suspended by the AIBA, the Asian governing body of the sport, from the executive committee membership due to his action during the SEA Games in Thailand last year.

Lopez, however, said he will elevate his case to the Court of Appeals of Sports (CAS) in Switzerland, adding the suspension will not in any way affect his right to run as Cojuangco’s first vice president and to vote.