The incumbent Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino of cycling and archery’s Clint Aranas and their respective tickets have been officially confirmed by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) election committee on Sunday, making it all systems go for the mudslinging expected to precede the POC polls slated Nov. 27.
Tolentino will be seeking to retain the presidency until the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Aranas out to dislodge the Cavite representative and become the third president of the body since the long era of Jose “Peping” Cojuangco was ended by Ricky Vargas a couple of years ago.
“Pursuant to the rules for the 2020 regular term elections, any voting member of the POC who has an objection to the candidacy of any candidate must file the objection stating the grounds therefore on or before Nov. 13,’’ said Teodoro Kalaw IV, a lawyer who will head the election committee.
Philippine Handball Federation president Steve Hontiveros, the current POC chair, is running for reelection under Aranas and will be up against triathlon head Tom Carrasco, a former POC chair himself seeking to jump back into office.
Also confirmed to run in the polls are basketball’s Al Panlilio (1st vice president) and fencing’s Richard Gomez (2nd VP) under Tolentino’s ticket while former Philippine Sports Commission chair Philip Ella Juico (1st VP) and rugby’s Ada Milby (2nd VP) have the backing of Aranas.
“I’m really hoping that the electorate will vote straight for our ticket. We have a trusted team in the sports community and from the business private sector,’’ said Tolentino.
Fifty-one national sports associations plus two representatives from the Athletes Commission and IOC executive board member Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski form the POC electorate.
Membership committee chair Bones Floro submitted the voters list, which needs certification by secretary general Ed Gastanes. INQ