POC officers top CDM bets

MANILA—Two ranking members of the Philippine Olympic Committee lead the short list of officials from where POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. will pick the new chief of mission of the country’s delegation to the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Speaking during the weekly Usapang POC on Sports Radio yesterday, Cojuangco said the new CDM will be named after the Philippine National Games in Bacolod this month.

The leading candidates are POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros and deputy secretary general Mark Joseph. Insiders said Dr. Ernest Jay Adalem of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is also being considered.

Manny Lopez of amateur boxing was also rumored to be in the short list but POC insiders said he is already being considered as CDM for next year’s London Olympics.

The new CDM will take over from Philippine Sports Commissioner Chito Loyzaga, who reportedly begged off after he was also named concurrent PSC executive director.

Canoe-kayak’s Sim Chi Tat, who was named co-CDM with Loyzaga earlier, will retain his position.