Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (third from the left) raises his hands along with other officers after being elected the new POC president. Photo by June Navarro
Newly elected Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino knows that he has inherited an executive board that, if push comes to shove, won’t be friendly to him.
So the veteran politician in him is saying that once the 13-man executive board refuses to toe the line, he will just seek the approval of the general assembly.
“As president, I have the prerogative to appoint my officers. If they disagree with my appointments, I will bring it before the GA (general assembly),” said the country’s cycling chief and Cavite representative.
Tolentino will reaffirm the appointment of boxing’s Patrick Gregorio as his secretary general and Ormoc City mayor and fencing’s Richard Gomez as deputy secretary general on Friday when Tolentino holds his first board meeting as POC chief.
He will also install Antipolo City Rep. Chiqui Roa-Puno as spokesperson and boxing’s Ed Picson as communications director.
Gregorio also functioned as the sec-gen of former POC president Ricky Vargas. Picson also served in the same capacity during Vargas’ brief term.
“I hope they will cooperate, because I’m ready to reach out to them,” said Tolentino, the PhilCycling president and former POC chair under Vargas.
“If they want a smooth relationship within the board, they should follow. I eat bullying for breakfast, so I won’t be bullied,” added the many-time Tagaytay City mayor.
Among the members of the 13-man board, only Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics, Prospero Pichay of chess, and Vargas, the immediate past president, have sided with Tolentino during the elections where the latter defeated athletics head Philip Ella Juico.
Steve Hontiveros, who won the chairmanship during the last polls, first vice president Joey Romasanta, second vice president Jeff Tamayo, treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go, board members Clint Aranas and Roberto Mananquil all belong to the camp that picked Juico.
“He will set the direction of the POC and he has the prerogative to choose his officials,” said Romasanta.
IOC representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and former IOC representative Frank Elizalde complete the composition of the executive board, which formulates the rules and guidelines before the ratification of the GA.