MANILA, Philippines – The International Olympic Committee has formally acknowledged the complaint recently filed against the Philippine Olympic Committee executive board headed by Jose Cojuangco.
The complaint, dated May 11, 2009 and signed by stakeholders of at least nine national sports associations or NSAs, called on the IOC to look into the alleged abuses committed by the POC.
The complaint is now with the IOC’s NOC (National Olympic Committees) Relations Department headed by Pere Miro. As a first step, the POC was asked to respond before an inquiry begins.
The POC, through its spokesman Jose Romasanta, yesterday said it’s abiding by the IOC move, and that Cojuangco is now preparing their official response to the matter.
“There have been informal communication between the IOC and the POC through e-mail but Mr. Cojuangco is still preparing his official response and that of his board,” said Romasanta.
The NSAs that were part of the petition titled “Declaration of Solidarity and Concern for Philippine Sports” were badminton, equestrian, dragon boat, swimming, wushu, cycling, billiards, archery and wrestling.
These NSAs are embroiled in leadership disputes, and they’ve accused the POC under Cojuangco, the equestrian president, of abusing its power in trying to arbitrate in the NSA issues.
In their letter to the IOC they said their goal is to “effect change in the entire POC system and set aright the wrongs committed.”
The POC spokesman said they welcomed the development because “it is in the interest of due process.”
Romasanta, however, made it clear that it’s not actually the said NSAs against the POC because those who filed the petition are only the “other half” of the troubled associations.
“You have to consider that some of those who signed are not even or no longer members of the NSA they claim to represent. For example, the issues have already been settled in archery, wushu, badminton and wrestling through an election,” he added.
Romasanta said these quarters are only trying to portray a troubled POC and their main objective is to embarrass Cojuangco before the IOC and his international counterparts.
Romasanta said Cojuangco’s elder sister, former President Corazon C. Aquino, is not being spared.
“The former President said she herself receive the text messages being forwarded by the disgruntled group to just anyone else. It’s not fair for the former President to be included in this,” he said.