INQUIRER Sports

EVEN before the holding of an election it ordered to decide the issue, the Federation Equestre International (FEI) has ?arbitrarily? given back the presidency of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines to Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco Jr.

No less than partylist Representative Carissa Coscolluela, Cojuangco?s main rival for the top EAP post, divulged this Saturday after receiving an e-mail from the FEI signed by second vice president Christopher Hudson.

?The FEI has now arbitrarily restored recognition to Mr. Cojuangco, a decision which we will ask them to reconsider,? said Coscolluela, whose election as EAP president was upheld by the FEI before the international body set it aside and called for a new election.

?First of all, the recognition of the international federation is different from the validity of our elections,? said Coscolluela.

?We maintain that under the Philippine laws by which the EAP is governed, the election of April 23 where we elected trustees and officers is valid.?

Cojuangco, who is also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, refused to make a comment as spokesperson Joey Romasanta said he has yet to receive a copy of the FEI decision.

Romasanta, however, said that if Coscolluela?s group finds the FEI decision arbitrary, ?then the earlier FEI decision sanctioning their group must also be arbitrary.?