A suspension by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be the height of infamy for poor Philippine sports.
But with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. taking his fourth term unopposed yesterday, there came frantic efforts and suggestions on how the Philippines could indeed be suspended from the Olympic Games.
“Yes, we don’t care about being suspended,” cried Dr. Aparicio Mequi, respected national sports development guru. Being suspended is better than having Peping Cojuangco for another four years, said the former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair.
But how does the Philippines get suspended, after the POC held its quadrennial election yesterday, following the denial by the court of a temporary restraining order filed by a disqualified aspirant for the top post?
A sure way to get suspended, suggested a masterful international sports medicine practitioner, an IOC awardee, is for the PSC to meddle with the POC polls.
But PSC chair Butch Ramirez did not create a scene or interfere.
It was inevitable that focus next shifted on Sen. Manny Pacquiao, whose Senate committee on sports would conduct a probe on the POC next week.
Explained Dr Mequi: “Our last hope is for the Senate Com in Sports to purposely create ‘intervention’ using the many ethics complaints against Cojuangco. Peping must be investigated.”
Yes, Dr. Mequi stressed, an IOC suspension is desired. They would go as far as beg for it.
Reason: It will help pry wide open the can of worms in the POC.
(MR. RONNIE DID IT HIS WAY: The well-appreciated broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz carried to his grave an ardent prayer for POC president Peping Cojuangco to be deposed. Mr. Ronnie—that was how I called him when he hired me for my first job as a roving reporter in the dear old dzHP of Dick Taylor in 1965—had been very passionate about the growth of Philippine sports. He would mince no words in pointing to Cojuangco as the biggest stumbling block for PH sports. Nathanielsz, tireless, gave it all through dust, sun and rain, in rendering exciting live accounts of national events, starting with the Tour of Luzon in the early 60s all the way to the Pacquiao fights abroad. In frail health, he was on his way to Las Vegas for the WBO world boxing championship when he suffered a stroke. He was a competent and patient mentor who helped vastly in improving my mediocre craft. Salamat, Sir.)