Peping to pursue Olympic quest: Hopes Phl win 1st gold on third term

MANILA, Philippines - Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. secured a third term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee unopposed and vowed to pursue the country’s quest for the first Olympic gold in an election that virtually went smoothly despite charges and threats of legal actions weeks before the event.

Cojuangco went through the formalities of earning another four-year term after athletics head Go Teng Kok, a confidant turned bitter critic, withdrew from the race two days before the polls at the Alabang Country Club.

That paved the way for Cojuangco’s group to sweep all positions.

Triathlon’s Tom Carrasco, karatedo’s Joey Romasanta, soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo, wushu’s Julian Camacho and chess’ Prospero Pichay Jr. beat their respective rivals and will assume the posts of chairman, first vice president, second vice president, treasurer and auditor, respectively, starting Jan. 1, 2013.

“Winner is Philippine sports, time to think of the Olympics now and how to win the country’s first gold medal there,” said Cojuangco.

Carrasco came out with the closest victory, edging incumbent chairman Monico Puentevella of weightlifting, 21-18, while the rest won convincingly, including Romasanta’s 24-16 win over boxing’s Manny Lopez.

Tamayo won over chess and cycling’s Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, 24-15, Camacho against squash’s Romeo Ribano, 28-12, and Pichay over Godofredo Galindez Jr. of golf, 28-12.

Judo’s Dave Carter, canoe-kayak’s Jonnie Go, gymnastics’ Cynthia Carreon and sailing’s Ernesto Echauz, who all ran under Cojuangco’s ticket, all made it to the board of directors with 29, 29, 28 and 23 votes, respectively.

Fencing’s Victor Africa (13), volleyball’s Generoso Dungo (16) and baseball’s Hector Navasero (nine) did not make the cut.

A total of 43 votes – 40 national sports associations, two athletes’ representatives and International Olympic Committee representative to the country Frank Elizalde – were cast with 40 counted and three declared invalid.

Long jumper Marestella Torres and former boxer Harry Tañamor represented the national athletes and cast their votes in their behalf.

There were earlier reports that Lopez would be disqualified if he would not vote for his NSA – the Amateur Boxing Association of the Phl. But he was eventually given the green light for the group, headed by Ricky Vargas and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, to vote for the association and run.

There were also text messages circulated that an injunction from the court had come out, preventing the group of Ting Ledesma from casting its vote and running in the polls. In the end, however, he was allowed to vote by the POC election committee composed of Victorico Chaves, Ricky Palou and Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC.

Allegations of vote-buying were also levelled at Puentevella but the outgoing POC chair vehemently denied the accusation and called it as a “demolition job.”

Lopez and Puentevella took the loss in stride and instead vowed to work together.

“I congratulate them for winning and we have to respect the decision of the majority,” said Lopez.

“First I congratulate them, Peping Cojuangco got his way,” said Puentevella. “All of us are one in wishing Phl sports well and I wish everyone well.”

Cojuangco hinted at appointing Steve Hontiveros as his secretary-general.

He also took a potshot at the media and accused them of making up “these scandals.”

“This is not politics. Hard to believe certain statements made by media. All these scandals are media creation,” he said.

Cojuangco became POC president by acclamation in 2004 and earned a second term by nipping Art Macapagal, then head of the shooting association, in a close contest four years ago.

He said a third term as head of the local Olympic body will be the culmination of his life in sports.

It all began in the 1970s when Cojuangco headed the golf association. Then he shifted his involvement to bowling and is currently the chief of the equestrian federation.

Go stood up against Cojuangco after businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan withdrew his bid to seek the POC presidency.

The athletics chief was then disqualified because of his POC status as persona-non-grata, and is all set to secure a TRO (temporary restraining order) in a bid to stop the elections.

But Go made a sudden change of heart, saying he’s had enough of the troubles. He also bared his plans to step down as chief of the athletics association he has led the past 23 years.