Sports reform group formed

The top official of at least four national sports associations (NSAs) disenfranchised by the past Philippine Olympic Committee administration have banded together in an effort to impel change in the country’s sports structure. Calling themselves “Reform Philippine Sports” (RP Sports), the officials of the erstwhile NSAs for dragonboat (Philippine Dragonboat Federation or PSBF), bowling (Philippine Bowling Congress or PBC), volleyball (Philippine Volleyball Federation or PVF) and table tennis (Table Tennis Association of the Philippines or TATAP) are making their stand. They also claim that at least 11 other current NSAs are with them in their battle for reinstatement.

In a joint statement, the four organizations explained that their expulsion from the POC actually began in 2008, after then-president Peping Cojuangco won his reelection bid by only two votes over shooting president Art Macapagal. The expelled groups claim that, in an act of revenge on them for voting for Macapagal, the POC incumbents remove PDBF in 2011, PVF in 2015, and TATAP and PBC in 2016.

“All four disenfranchised NSAs have certain things in common. One, all these NSAs did not vote for Cojuangco during the 2008 POC Presidential Election. Two, all the personalities who formed the new NSAs were handpicked by Cojuangco and not independently elected, thereby putting in place pro-Cojuangco puppets. Three, the removal of the NSAs concerned did not go through the POC’s General Assembly (GA). 

“The POC by-laws require that a 3/4 vote is needed in the GA in order to expel a sitting NSA. The removal of the four NSAs without the GA vote is therefore in gross violation of the POC by-laws under ‘Grounds for Expulsion.’ Four, all four disenfranchised NSAs have the support of their respective International Federations (IFs) which the POC refuses to honor. Five, all four replacement NSAs have performed miserably in the recent Asian Games, clearly demonstrating how dirty sports politics and the old ‘bata-bata’ system can ruin a sport, and Philippine sports in general,” the statement read.

“We had some hope after our initial positive discussion with the new POC membership committee,” revealed lead convenor, retired general Charly Holganza, who organized the first international dragonboat race in Bohol in 2013. “But when we went back, their tune suddenly changed. We felt something funny is going on, because nothing constructive has happened.”

In the case of dragonboat, the group branded a “blatant lie” Cojuangco’s claim that the International Olympic Committee insisted they join the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Federation. For PVF, a leadership dispute opened the door for a new federation to be inserted into the POC ranks. The other two sports claimed that they were usurped and replaced for no concrete reason, and without due process.

“There is no reason why PBC should not be the NSA for bowling,” insisted Jerry Mallillin, president of PBC in an interview with The STAR. “We did not commit any infractions, and we were never accused of anything. Lastly, the POC General Assembly never voted us out.”

The statement also rued that, in more than a year in power, the new POC Board has not resolved any of these injustices. RP Sports is also contemplating legal action against those involved in their ouster.

“We are raising this issue for the public to know. With the SEA Games coming very soon, it is imperative that the public be made aware of the problems besetting Philippine sports. We need to do a massive clean-up within the POC - and by extension, their long-developed mafia connections within the PSC - to remove the vestiges of old decadent systems that hamper sports development. We need for President Vargas to have a strong, supportive team that can institute the needed reforms in the POC. Constitutional amendments need to be pushed to remove the protectionist stance of the old boys’ club. We need the POC to resolve major issues in membership, etc. We need new leaders to infuse new innovative ideas in running the show. 

“The ways of the old mafia have not worked. It is time for new leaders, new policies, new ideas to come and make things work. And if President Vargas does nothing about this, we will hold him accountable as well, for ultimately he is responsible for what his POC does or fails to do.”

The coming weeks will see more disappointed NSAs joining the fight.