Vargas agrees to clear issues with board

In the interest of unity, Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas has agreed to meet members of the POC executive board on Tuesday to address several controversial issues brought up by the group.

Vargas canceled the scheduled POC board meeting on June 17 but stated that the morning session with Philippine Southeast Asian Games organizing committee will push through on the same date.

“In the meantime, I have decided to accept the call of the majority of Executive Board members for a session with me on the 18th of June to clear up matters in the interest of unity at this crucial stage of our preparations for the Southeast Asian Games,” said Vargas.

The meeting is seen as a step toward resolving the issue, although sources said things could get complicated for Vargas as far as his term as president is concerned.

Late Friday, the group led by archery chief Clint Aranas held a press conference stating that all they needed was an audience with Vargas to clear several issues, including his decision to incorporate the Phisgoc without the knowledge and approval of the POC board.

There are Phisgoc officials who are not members of the POC board, and the Aranas group maintained that the POC must have the control and supervision over the SEA Games organizers.

The group also questioned the disbursements of the donations from private corporations like San Miguel Corporation (P50 million), Philippine Basketball Association (P6 million) and MVP Sports Foundation (P15 million).

“The disbursement of P36 million corporate donations was done without the prior approval of the executive board, much less the knowledge of the executive board and the POC treasurer,” said the group statement.

POC treasurer Julian Camacho was also there in the presser along with former POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., handball chief Steve Hontiveros and canoe/kayak head Jonne Go.

Camacho said he was kept out of the loop insofar as POC finances are concerned as Vargas and secretary general Pato Gregorio changed the combination of the check signatories.

“We want the Games to succeed and in order, because it would be an international embarrassment if we can’t pull it off,” said Aranas.