Peping accepts POC defeat, looks back at 'legacy'

MANILA, Philippines – There was no sign of bitterness in the face of Jose “Peping” Cojuangco the day after he was unseated as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Cojuangco, 83, was in his usual self, smiling, when he welcomed more than a dozen reporters Saturday afternoon to his Muslim-inspired residence in Dasmarinas Village, Makati.

While those who sat in front of him expected some fireworks, the man who served as POC president since 2004 spoke mildly, like he had taken his loss to Ricky Vargas well.

“That’s life,” he said.

Cojuangco has missed playing golf with his friends, all aged 80-plus, in nearby Wack Wack, and how he has missed visiting his favorite barber shop the past two months.

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"I still enjoy golf — even if my drive is just 170 yards," he said.

The former congressman from Tarlac talked about his plans outside sports, some agricultural program.

Almost, Cojuangco was begging for a graceful exit.

“Let us talk about my accomplishments, and not why people keep blaming me for everything. I think I’ve been lucky,” he said.

The equestrian chief looked back at the 13 years he’s been at the helm of the POC. It was quite a ride.

“Thirteen years. There were happy moments. We were able to do things that we did not expect, and do things with what little we have,” he said.

The country winning the overall title in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in Manila, under his watch, is something to cherish, as much as the country winning a silver medal through Hidilyn Diaz in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“We did things right. But I’m not seeking praise from people. Instead, I praise myself. Forget about any legacy,” he said.

Cojuangco said Vargas’ convincing win in the presidential race is over and done with.

“As far as what happened there (Friday’s election), the members have voted. That’s it. Tama na 'yun,” he said.

There are no plans to rock the boat. But he said he will have to raise a question before the International Olympic Committee.

“I want to ask the IOC, ‘How far can the courts go in sports?’ because the day will come when an athlete who is excluded from the national team will go to court seeking inclusion,” he said.

“Will that be good for us?” Cojuangco asked.

The dethroned POC chief is calling for a smooth transition, just as Vargas had called for it the day he was elected as the new POC president.

“It will be up to them. But I don’t see any reason why it can’t be done,” he said.

Vargas has assured Cojuangco that he will be given due recognition in the POC board, as the immediate past president.

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“That’s good. I haven’t heard that. But that’s good,” said Cojuancgo.

“Pero kung wala (But otherwise), that’s okay,” he said, raising his right hand and waving it off.

It’s like he’s done with it.

Cojuangco tried to take the cudgels for the NSAs (national sports associations) and how they’re battled through problems with the Philippine Sports Commission.

“With the liquidation process, it makes it appear that NSAs are crooked. These NSA heads don’t receive any salaries, and yet they are pictured like this just because they could not liquidate,” he said.

“We need to correct things,” he added.

Cojuangco is out as POC president, and yet, he’s not about to fade away, adding that he will remain an “active member” of the POC.

It’s time to do other things.

Like playing golf and having that regular haircut.