Poll body has final say on Go case

MANILA, Philippines - Whatever decision the POC elections committee arrives at regarding the eligibility of athletics chief Go Teng Ko will be final and executory.

“The decision of the committee is final,” said Ateneo’s Ricky Palou, one of three men tasked to oversee the conduct of the Nov. 30 POC elections.

Former congressman Victorico Chaves and La Salle’s Br. Bernard Oca are also with the same committee that presided over the last POC elections in 2004.

While they have cleared all the other candidates running for the different POC positions, the committee members have withheld any decision regarding Go.

The athletics chief was declared persona-non-grata by the POC almost two years ago, and at the same time was expelled as member of the POC general assembly.

This prevents him from taking part in the next POC elections.

But Go is leaning on a court ruling saying his ouster was without due process. The POC headed by Jose Cojuangco filed a petition before the Supreme Court but it was dismissed.

The dismissal of the POC petition therefore makes Go eligible to run and challenge Cojuangco who is seeking a third four-year term since he took over the top POC post in 2004.

Palou told yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate that once the POC gets a hold of the Supreme Court ruling, the committee will have to declare Go as a legitimate candidate.

Palou said Go has until Nov. 29 or the eve of the elections to make sure the POC gets hold of a copy of the Supreme Court decision.

And once he is declared qualified to run, the POC will have no other choice but push through with the elections, and let Go challenge Cojuangco for the presidency.

Go is running as an independent candidate even if there is an opposition block led by Monico Puentevella who is running as chairman and Manny Lopez who is running as first vice president.

“The decision of the Comelec (elections committee) is final. I don’t think it will be appealable to the POC board or the general assembly. I don’t think so,” said Palou.

“He (Go) has not been disqualified as of the moment. He’s not eligible as well. But once the POC receives a copy of the Supreme Court ruling, we will approve his candidacy,” he added.