INQUIRER Sports

MANILA,Philippines- The internal strife wracking National Sports Associations (NSAs) of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has not just gotten out of hand?and out of the country as well.

Nine NSA ?factions? struggling to resolve leadership problems filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee accusing POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco of violating the Olympic Charter and of abusing the POC?s function to arbitrate NSA disputes.

In a statement distributed during the PSA Forum at Shakey?s UN Avenue branch, Cojuangco branded the complaint ?deceptive.?

The complaint, dated May 11, 2009, was contained in a letter sent to IOC president Jacques Rogge in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It appealed for an investigation and redress under the rules and organs of the Olympic Movement.

Among those who signed the complaint were Amelita M. Ramos of badminton, Carissa O. Coscolluela of equestrian, Marcia Cristobal of dragon boat racing, Jane Ong of swimming, Edwin Pimentel of wushu, Abraham Tolentino of cycling, Yen Makabenta of billiards, Renato R. Bartolome of archery and Jetro F. Lozada of wrestling.

Of the nine, only Cristobal?s dragon boat racing is not recognized as an NSA.

Swimming, archery, wushu and wrestling are currently undergoing leadership battles.

Badminton recently held a POC-monitored election that installed Ramos as president.

Tolentino and Makabenta did not show up for POC-monitored elections while Coscolluela was installed president of equestrian in polls that did not get POC recognition.