PHILIP Ella Juico was unanimously elected president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) yesterday, replacing Go Teng Kok who stepped down after a successful but tumultuous 24-year reign.
Juico praised Go’s contribution to the association which he served since 1990.
The Patafa, under Go’s watch, was twice awarded the prestigious National Sports Association of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
“I am not the replacement of Mr. Go because he can’t be replaced,” said Juico, who announced that he would push for amendments to the articles of incorporation when he convenes the general assembly by November.
Prior to his election, Juico, a former chair of the Philippine Sports Commission, was named member of Patafa’s board of trustees during the elections attended by 23 of the 25 board of directors at Orchids Hotel in Manila.
The Philippine Olympic Committee refused to recognize the elections.
The exercise was sanctioned by the Asian Athletics Association, which sent a monitoring team led by AAA secretary general Maurice Nicholas of Singapore. Nicholas immediately informed the International Association of Athletics Federation of the results of the elections.
The Securities and Exchange Commission also sent two representatives to the polls that was seen as a changing of the guards in the sport that has been a consistent gold medal source for the country in the Southeast Asian Games.
POC vice president Joey Romasanta earlier questioned Juico non-inclusion in the board of trustees, saying Patafa should have invited POC observers during the board election.
“The POC anxiously awaits Mr. Juico’s commitment to introduce positive changes in Patafa and steer it in the proper direction,” said Romasanta, adding Patafa needs to comply with the requirements for a POC review.
With Go leading the way, the Patafa board started the proceedings by calling for an election to the 10-man board of trustees. After adjourning, they convened again to elect the officers based on the SEC guidelines.
Elected with Juico were Nicanor “Boy” Sering as vice president, Maricor Pacheco as secretary, Lucy Artiaga as treasurer and Janet Obiena as auditor. Former Dagupan Mayor Alipio Fernandez was expected to be named chair, according to Juico.
Comprising the 10-man board of trustees are Juico, Sering, Go, Artiaga, Pacheco, Obiena, Fernandez, Rufus Rodriguez, Cham Teng Yang and Chua Pio.