INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—The power struggle in the national wushu federation came to a head on Friday after a group calling itself as “the majority” removed its president due to “loss of confidence” in his leadership.

Julian Camacho was reported to have been kicked out as head of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines Inc. by a group led by Francis Chan, the association’s chair.

A copy of the announcement and manifesto signed by the WFPI members was submitted to Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez by representatives of the law firm Rondain and Mendiola.

It said that “Mr. Camacho is no longer authorized to represent the WFPI at the Nov. 28, 2008 Election (of the Philippine Olympic Committee).”

In a long-distance interview from Bangkok, however, Camacho maintained that he is still the wushu chief. He is on his way home from Laos where he represented the POC in the Southeast Asian Games Federation meeting.

“When I get back tomorrow, I will issue a statement and probably call a press conference,” Camacho told the Inquirer.

He said he will still cast the federation’s vote in the POC elections, where he is running as treasurer in the ticket of incumbent president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

Triathlon chief Tom Carrasco, the candidate for secretary general in the ticket of shooting president Art Macapagal, said his camp won’t mind if Camacho votes for wushu.

POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said the report on Camacho’s removal has no grounds.