Peping keeps POC post–barely
Nips Macapagal by 2 votes; slate pulls thru
By Jasmine W. Payo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:55:00 11/29/2008
Filed Under: Sports Events, Politics
MANILA, Philippines—He won a fresh mandate by the slimmest possible majority.
Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. earned another four-year term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee after securing 21 of the 40 votes cast by heads of national sports associations (NSAs) Friday at the Ayala Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa City.
“I have to admit my heart beat a little bit faster than normal,” said Cojuangco after overcoming the tough challenge of Arturo Macapagal, the elder brother of President Macapagal Arroyo.
“There’s a lot of work ahead of us,” added Cojuangco. “There’s a big challenge facing us. We ran because we can accept the challenge. All of us now have to work harder than before.”
Cojuangco’s group got eight of the 10 seats in the tense-filled general elections.
Independent candidate Monico Puentevella of wrestling won as chair, while Cojuangco candidates Manuel Luis Lopez (boxing) and Mario Tanchanco (sepak takraw) were elected as first vice president and second vice president, respectively.
Other winners were Julian Camacho (wushu) as treasurer, Corinna Mojica (body building) as auditor and Lenora Fe Brawner (archery), David Carter (judo) and Mark Joseph (swimming) as board members.
Cojuangco bet Bert Lina (cycling) pulled out his candidacy for board member last Wednesday, paving the way for one Macapagal candidate, Jeff Antonio Tamayo (soft tennis), to earn a seat in the board.
“The POC has made its decision, so I accept it,” said Macapagal, a former champion shooter and veteran of the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Olympics who campaigned for change to boost the country’s bid for a first-ever Olympic gold.
“I already made a statement that it’s everybody’s responsibility to unite behind the new set of leaders. And I mean it.”
No temporary restraining order from the court was served to disrupt the election. The injunction, reportedly sought by officials of the National Archery Association, was reportedly meant to stop Brawner from casting her vote.
“It just showed that what happens is what happens; it’s not what people talk about that will happen,” said Cojuangco. “The good thing was everyone was patient. Nobody did any untoward incident.”
Reliable sources said the NSAs that voted for Cojuangco’s ticket were archery, athletics, basketball, body building, bowling, boxing, canoe kayak, equestrian, ice skating, judo, karatedo, lawn bowls, pencak silat, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, tennis, wushu, weightlifting and the representative to the Philippines of the International Olympic Committee.
The lone swing vote, according to the same sources, could have come from wrestling, badminton, billiards or cycling.
“According to the people who have helped me, those who were counting, we were expecting a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 24 votes,” said Cojuangco minutes after the election count that swung back and forth.
“But let’s forget about who won and who lost so we can have the chance to get together again and work things out.”
Former congressman Victorico Chavez presided over the election together with election committee members Ricky Palou of Ateneo and Br. Bernie Oca of La Salle.
Macapagal’s losing ticket included Robert Aventajado (taekwondo) as chair, Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino (chess) as first vice president, Pablito Araneta (football) as second vice president, Romeo Ribaño (squash) as treasurer, Judith Hakim (dragon boat) as auditor and Donnie Altura (sailing), Pedro Mendoza Jr. (volleyball) and Hector Navasero (baseball).
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