International body to probe equestrian elections

MANILA, Philippines - The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) is set to look into the election that took place within the Equestrian Association of the Philippines last March 31 when Party List Representative Carissa Coscolluela was once again elected EAP president.

“My understanding from the FEI is that they will take the matter up at a meeting this weekend, and that they will not interfere in any legal process,” said Coscolluela, referring to the court-ordered election that gave her and her board a four-year mandate.

Coscolluela was elected EAP head in April last year and was promptly recognized by the FEI, the world-governing body in equestrian. But Jose Cojuangco, the long-time EAP head, called the election illegal, and the FEI withdrew its blessings on Coscolluela.

A long impasse took over before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 66 ordered a new election, and Coscolluela proceeded with the exercise last March 31 at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati. Twenty-two of 27 EAP members voted.

Cojuangco, also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, and his group within the EAP abstained and has refused to recognize the results even if the Philippine Sports Commission has once again given Coscolluela its nod.

Now, the FEI, based in Switzerland, will take another look at the situation.

“We welcome the idea that the FEI is going to subject this matter to a process. I am confident that when they go through all the substantive and legal issues they will see that we have gone through the proper procedure in resolving the leadership dispute with the EAP,” said Coscolluela.

“There is no reason for anyone to question the process anymore because it was one which was open to all concerned parties and participated in by everyone. We have received the mandate of our membership twice already,” she added.

After she was elected for the second time, Coscolluela offered her hand to Cojuangco, and said she welcomed the possibility of having the POC president sit as chairman of the local equestrian body.

Also earning posts last March 31 were Jones Lanza (vice president), Tata Montilla (corporate secretary-treasurer), Mitos Belofsky (secretary general) and Toni Leviste (board member), and board members Toti De Leon and Michael Gonzalez.