GTK calls for election to resolve PKF dispute

MANILA, Philippines - Go Teng Kok yesterday challenged his detractors within the Philippine Karatedo Federation to an election on March 12 to settle once and for all who the rightful PKF president is.

Go, who was elected PKF president two years ago, said he remains as head of the federation because the move to oust him last Jan. 25 was illegal.

Jose Romasanta, deputy secretary-general of the Philippine Olympic Committee, was named PKF deputy president at the same time Go was elected president.

But Romasanta said that through the years, there has been misunderstanding between him and Go, also the athletics president, on how to run the affairs of the PKF.

“Mr. Go has already asked me to run the affairs of the federation but lately he came in and said he wanted to run it once more,” said Romasanta.

“So, I had to resign because I didn’t know anymore where I stood. Malasado (half-baked) ang leadership ko,” said Romasanta.

The chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation to the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games said since his resignation was not formal, he was asked to stay by the board, as president.

“First of all, it has been established by the POC that Mr. Go is not qualified to be PKF president,” said Romasanta, considering that Go is also head of the athletics association.

But Go has contested this, and raised the question why he was elected PKF president in the first place if there’s such ruling against holding the top posts in two different associations.

“If they want an election, I challenge Mr. Romasanta to meet me head on, and not call the minority behind my back and then elect himself as president,” said Go yesterday.

Edward Ponce, PKF secretary-general, cited Article 9, Section 9.10 of the PKF constitution saying that a member can only be expelled by a two-thirds vote of all voting members.

“The General Assembly was never convened to resolve the ouster of Mr. Go nor was Mr. Go given the opportunity to defend himself,” said Ponce.

Only 10 of the 22 voting members of the PKF voted to remove Go from his post and install Romasanta as president.

 “What was the authority of Joey (Romasanta) in calling the PKF meeting when he had already resigned as a PKF officer after the last Asian Games? “ said Go.

But Romasanta countered that he did not call for the meeting, and that the board members themselves came to him to convince him to stay and take the presidency.

“I believed in their merit so I stayed on,” said Romasanta, stressing that he is not after the PFK presidency if it would only give him the headache.