David and Goliath: Vargas versus Cojuangco

From L-R: Lucas Managuelod, Bambol Tolentino, Ricky Vargas and Sonny Barrios. Photo by Marc Reyes

Philippine Olympic Committee presidential candidate Ricky Vargas could not say if “he has the numbers” because the voting national sports association leaders “fear coming out.”

On Monday, the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippine president filed his candidacy at the POC offices with a full lineup under his banner.

Cycling’s Bambol Tolentino is running for chair, badminton’s Albee Benitez for first vice president, muay thai’s Lucas Managuelod second vice president, basketball’s Sonny Barrios treasurer, and table tennis’ Ting Ledesma auditor.

Vargas said they will “adopt as common candidates” five of the seven NSAs who filed for candidacy for executive board positions in the Nov. 25 polls.

“The 12-year dispensation has caused them to fear coming out,” said Vargas during a breakfast caucus at Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. “We are now under that kind of a scenario.”

He likened his showdown with three-term incumbent Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., as a battle “between David and Goliath.”

“David said I will go to  battle with you, problem is Goliath is not allowing us to go to battle with him,” said Vargas.

Vargas used the analogy after he was asked about an election provision barring him from running because he has not attended a POC General Assembly the past years.

“If you look at that rule which is not even in the by-laws, only he (Cojuangco) and his group would qualify,”  Vargas said: “Just allow an election. Just let us run. Let me run.”

The Maynilad boss said he will resign from his job if the POC presidency requires it.