FEI questions equestrian elections

MANILA, Philippines - The Federation Equestre Internationale has refused to recognize the results of the March 31 elections within the Equestrian Association of the Philippines, and has left big question mark on Carissa Coscolluela’s status as president of the EAP.

“The FEI has rejected the request for recognition of (Ms.) Coscolluela,” said Philippine Olympic Committee deputy secretary-general Mark Joseph in a text message which he sent to the media way past midnight of Thursday.

Coscolluela, who’s been challenging Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. for the EAP presidency, was elected president in April last year and in another election last March 31 in Makati.

But Cojuangco called both elections illegal, saying Coscolluela, a Party List representative, has violated the EAP and POC rules when she was elected president of the association.

The FEI, which is based in Switzerland, received a report from Coscolluela regarding the results of the court-ordered March 31 elections, and in turn the world governing body in the sport asked Cojuangco to make his own report.

After hearing both sides, the FEI has maintained a status quo in that it is neither recognizing Coscolluela nor Cojuangco as the rightful EAP president until such a time that they settle things amicably or they hold an election where the results are acceptable to both camps.

The other day, Cojuangco announced that the POC has declared Coscolluela persona non-grata, meaning she cannot attend or be part of any POC function even if she stands her ground as the duly-elected EAP president.

“Her actions are uncalled for. So I think there was a move that she will be declared persona non-grata by the POC. It will be announced to all the members who will be given copies of the resolution and the reasons behind,” said Cojuangco.

Coscolluela yesterday said she is respecting the FEI decision but blamed Cojuangco for the troubles hounding the sport, considering that the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China is just seven months away.

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Cojuangco’s continued protest of the decision of the EAP has kept the leadership issue unresolved in the eyes of the FEI. The only reason the FEI cannot make a decision is because Mr. Cojuangco contests any decision that does not have him emerge as the winner,” said Coscolluela.

“However, we respect the decision of the FEI because we are confident that when the matter is resolved by the Philippine judicial system with finality, we will win because we are in the right. In the meantime, our group continues in the preparation of our athletes for the Asian Games this year because we will not allow this dispute to get in the way of our efforts to bring home honor and glory to our country.”

But Cojuangco has questioned Coscolluela’s right to run the association as it gears up for the Asian Games.

“We’re on with our operations within the EAP, and as far as I’m concerned the FEI is not recognizing the election of Coscolluela,” said Cojuangco without mentioning that the POC will have the final say on the composition of the members of the RP Team to Guangzhou.