MANILA, Philippines — Ramon “Tats” Suzara has been elected president of the newly-formed volleyball association, Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVFI).
Suzara’s appointment on Monday is a big step toward the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) granting a legitimate national sports association for volleyball in the country.
“I will do my best as the new president,” Suzara told reporters after the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) electoral body formally proclaimed the winners in the elections held under strict health protocols at East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City.
“But I am not the only one [in the new federation]. I have the board and the other stakeholders who are there to support. We are all here to uplift Philippine volleyball,” he added.
Suzara, representing the Alliances of Philippine Volleyball Inc., won the POC-supervised elections unchallenged with 31 votes, while Arnel Hajan of the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) was elected vice president with 30 votes.
Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) Secretary-General Ariel Paredes was elected chairman with 30 votes and Donaldo Caringal also of the alliance was named Secretary-General with 31 votes.
Rod Roque of LVPI and the UAAP was voted treasurer and PVF’s Yul Benosa as auditor.
Also elected were board members Ricky Palou, Tony Boy Liao, Karl Chan, Charo Soriano, Carmela Gamboa, National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Fr. Vic Calvo and POC representative to the board Atty. Wharton Chan.
“We are thankful to all the stakeholders. We’ve been longing for this and the true winner here is Philippine volleyball,” POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
Suzara said he would use his affiliation and influence in the FIVB and the Asian Volleyball Confederation for more support to Philippine volleyball.
A total of 31 of 32 registered voters cast their votes through a “drive-thru” process at the restaurant’s main entrance.
POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes and accreditation and membership committee head Atty. Billy Sumagui supervised the proceedings.
The POC executive board is expected to approve the result of the elections when it meets on Wednesday, while Tolentino said the new association will be officially recognized during the POC general assembly on Thursday.
Tolentino said the POC will then submit an official report to the FIVB, which is expected to officially recognize the PNVFI during its online World Congress from February 5 to 7.