Elections will go on as scheduled, says POC chief

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections will proceed as scheduled after the body’s leadership denied the move to stall the Nov. 27 polls.

POC president and Cavite Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino said the executive board unanimously rejected the motion of weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella to postpone the election to early next year.

“The motion was unanimously disapproved as it requires amendments to the POC constitution and bylaws,’’ Tolentino said after Tuesday’s POC executive board meeting that centered on the details of the coming elections.

According to Tolentino, the motion likewise needed the approval of both the 13-man executive board and the general assembly, which is made up of all the 51 national sports associations recognized by the POC.

“There’s not enough time to tackle it,’’ said Tolentino, who will run for a fresh four-year term until the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Also discussed during the executive board meeting via Zoom was the replacement of Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez from the three-man election committee (comelec) tasked to handle the polls.

The choices boiled down to UP president Danilo Concepcion or UAAP commissioner and lawyer Rebo Saguisag if Concepcion declines. Father Vic Calvo of Letran declined the offer to join the comelec.

Former International Olympic Committee member Frank Elizalde functions as chair of the comelec with arbitration lawyer Teodoro Kalaw IV as member.

Archery chief Clint Aranas will challenge Tolentino for the presidency. INQ