Cojuangco wants FEI decision clarified

MANILA, Philippines – Jose “Peping” Cojuangco is not about ready to turn over the reins of power in the Equestrian Association of the Philippines to Carissa Coscolluela.

A day after the Federation Equestre Internationale confirmed Coscolluela as the new and rightful president of the EAP, Cojuangco raised questions on how the world-governing body in the sport arrived at the conclusion.

“Your email dated May 29, 2009 did not state the rationale or basis of your decision,” Cojuangco, also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, wrote FEI secretary-general Alexander McLin yesterday.

Copies of Cojuangco’s letter to the FEI official were distributed to the media, and the equestrian official said FEI’s decision, dated May 28, 2009, “merely mentioned that it was based on thorough analysis of documents presented by both parties.”

Cojuangco doubted if the FEI received his latest response or explanation on the issue, which stemmed from what he claimed was Coscolluela’s “illegal” election as the new EAP president last April 23.

Cojuangco has been at the helm of Philippine equestrian since 2001 and claimed that based on the group’s by-laws and upon the advise of their lawyers the next election should come in 2012.

Cojuangco said he recently forwarded his response to the FEI, which is based in Switzerland.

“We are surprised to receive that letter from the sec-gen of FEI. We strongly feel that our position has been exhaustively clarified. Also, we need to clarify from FEI if they were able to receive all our official communication to them as they have not acknowledged receiving our letters,” he said.

Cojuangco sought clarification of the FEI decision and its “specific findings of fact and law, and the documents or evidences you relied upon in support thereof.”

Cojuangco moved to be informed of the “particular factual and legal basis of the decision so he could intelligently” respond to the matter.

He also asked the FEI to send a representative to the Philippines “with the sense of urgency” so he could conduct a thorough investigation of the matter that has left the sport in the country off track.

Coscolluela, a party list congresswoman, is set to make a courtesy call on Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping today.

She said Cojuangco should accept the fact that the international federation in equestrian has already confirmed her as the new EAP president.

“While we gladly welcome a visit from the FEI we must raise issue with Mr. Cojuangco’s persistent efforts to perpetuate himself in power at the EAP. The membership (during the April 23 election) has spoken and the international federation has spoken. I would hope that Mr. Cojuangco and the POC would listen,” she said.

Angping said based on the FEI recognition, he is bound to recognize Coscolluela as the new EAP head, and support her programs, as head of the government’s funding arm in sports.

Coscolluela graced the POC general assembly last week but was denied a chance to take the floor. She said she did not get the chance because Cojuangco felt that the FEI has not yet decided with finality on the leadership issue within the EAP.

“At the POC general assembly they said they weren’t going to recognize me because they were waiting for the final decision. Now it has come and they refuse to accept it. It seems the POC will block every effort for us to hold our rightful positions,” she said. – Abac Cordero