POC President Peping Cojuangco. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. began his fourth four-year mandate as president Friday with a grand plan in mind: A new national training center of international standards.
Unopposed in the Philippine Olympic Committee polls, Cojuangco got 26 out of 37 votes. Seven national sports associations did not attend the proceedings held at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
“I will focus on the training center and I’ve started going to the provinces to talk to my friends who could help us,” said Cojuangco, who will also oversee the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, his second after the 2005 edition which the country topped.
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Boxing chief Ricky Vargas and cycling’s Abraham Tolentino, rendered ineligible to run as president and chair, respectively, were among those who did not show up.
“Healing is automatic. We have to restore harmony in the POC,” said Cojuangco. “When the game is over, the idea is to put everybody together.”
Al Panlilio of the basketball association, one of the NSAs under the Manny V. Pangilinan group which includes boxing, said they will join hands with the POC.
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“We’re a member of the POC and we have to work together,” said Panlilio.