Court stops EAP polls

MANILA, Philippines - A regional trial court yesterday issued a restraining order stopping the elections of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines, further delaying what could be the resolution to the long drawn out leadership dispute in the national sports association.

EAP members Jose Ma. Montilla and Clarafe Lanza sought the TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) from the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“I have just been served an order issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court restraining us from conducting a meeting and elections of the EAP today (yesterday),” said Party List Rep. Carissa Coscolluela.

She added: “In compliance with this order, we are constrained to cancel today’s meeting and election. We will be meeting with the FEI representative/observer to discuss a course of action to be taken by the association to ensure that services continue to be delivered to our members.”

Coscolluela is contesting the EAP presidency with POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr., who actually called the elections yesterday in compliance with the directive by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) president Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

An FEI representative, vice president Christopher Hodson, was actually invited to observe the conduct of the elections.