Open forum for POC candidates planned

THE PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee election committee plans to host an open forum on Nov. 15 where candidates for the POC polls on Nov. 30 at the Alabang Country Club can present their platform for the next four years.

Former congressman and ex-volleyball president Victorico Chaves, the POC election committee chair, said the forum will give the candidates an opportunity to discuss issues before the 43 voting members made up of 40 top officials from the national sports associations, athlete representatives Harry Tañamor and Marestella Torres and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde.

Chaves said the media will also be invited to the event.

Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., the incumbent POC head, is seeking a third consecutive term against athletics chief Go Teng Kok.

The election committee has required Go to present the Supreme Court decision upholding an earlier ruling by a Pasig court that nullified a POC decision declaring Go “persona non grata.”

The election committee, which has Bro. Bernie Oca of La Salle and Ricky Palou of Ateneo as members, has given Go until Nov. 29 to comply, adding that the copy of the ruling should be authenticated by the high tribunal.