POC chief to call for EAP polls

MANILA, Philippines - Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said he’s ready to call for an election within the Equestrian Association of the Philippines where his leadership is being disputed by another group.

Cojuangco said he recently sat down with members of the EAP board, and that they’ve decided to follow the directive of the court to call for an election whose results will be accepted and respected by the contending parties.

The POC president said the election may take place in November, following a thorough review of the EAP’s constitution and by-laws, and the list of members and those who will be qualified to cast their votes.

“We can do it in November,” said Cojuangco, being challenged by former Party-list Rep. Carissa Coscolluela, twice elected as EAP president, but was twice questioned by Cojuangco regarding its legality.

In April of 2009, Coscolluela was elected EAP president and was in fact recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale, the world governing body in the sport. But Cojuangco raised his objections, and the FEI withdrew its recognition on the former congresswoman.

Another election took place in March this year, this time following a court order, but again Cojuangco questioned its legality. Once again, the FEI called for another election to settle the issue once and for all.

“We should iron all these things, particularly the problems with some NSAs (national sports associations),” added Cojuangco, who cited the case of cycling, where two associations are claiming to be the rightful one.

Cojuangco said the two cycling groups, one headed by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Philip Juico, and the other headed by Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, have even the POC to intercede.

“But the POC legal (team) said we cannot do that. So, we are asking both parties to do something about the situation,” said Cojuangco, adding that an amicable settlement should be the best solution.

The POC chief said it may be useless to call an election if in the end the winner will not be recognized by the international federation, the Union Cycliste International.

“We need to address that,” said Cojuangco, also looking at the local bodybuilding association which is having some problem because the international federation it is affiliated with is having problems with the International Olympic Committee.

“Well, these are minor problems that continue to irritate us. That’s why we need to straigthen these things out, and so Philippine sports, under a new administration, will run smoothly,” he said.