POC board approves Tolentino appointments

The Philippine Olympic Committee finally showed signs of moving forward as the board, during its meeting on Friday, approved all of newly elected president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino’s appointments.

Tolentino said the board meeting brought hopes of a unified POC that was rocked by several issues mainly pertaining to the body’s role in the hosting of the Southeast Asian Games.

“Prayers were answered for unity and cooperation,” Tolentino told the Inquirer.

The POC will hold its first general assembly under Tolentino on Tuesday.

Football’s Edwin Gastanes was named new POC secretary general, a post widely reported to be Pato Gregorio’s several weeks back.

Tolentino said that Gregorio politely turned down the appointment due to his corporate responsibilities with the MVP Group of Companies.

Movie actor, sportsman and politician Richard Gomez of fencing will be the deputy secretary general, while obstacle sports’ Alberto Agra is chief legal counsel. Assisting Agra is Avelino Sumagui of cycling.

POC chair Steve Hontiveros took the “smooth and quick” meeting as a good sign for the governing body to “move forward for the sake of Philippine sports.”

Other appointed officials are spokesperson Chiqui Roa-Puno and communications director Ed Picson.

Lucas Managuelod, Valeriano, Floro Arturo and Arnold Sumagui are in the accreditation and membership committee. Ricky Vargas, Agra, Gomez, Prospero Pichay, Chito Loyzaga, Wharton Chan and Clint Aranas make up the constitutional amendments commission.