Discord returns to POC after board abolishes chair’s post

The executive board of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is at odds once again.

Steve Hontiveros, the handball chief, was dismissed from the board after it voted to abolish the post of POC chair on Monday—and didn’t sound like he would accede.

Weightlifting head Monico Puentevella, meanwhile, came to Hontiveros’ rescue as discord rocked the organization just two months before the Tokyo Olympics.

“Stop rocking the boat,” said Puentevella after the executive board abolished the chairmanship, a decision that will be submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The POC majority bloc, led by president Bambol Tolentino, voted to dissolve the chairman’s seat in the board, a move it believes is in line with International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules.

But Hontiveros is also claiming the support of the IOC, which he said assured him he could keep his position until the end of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“I don’t mind, I serve Philippine sports, I leave it up to God,” said Hontiveros.

The POC board replaced the chairmanship with the position of immediate past president, a spot that would be occupied by current boxing head Ricky Vargas, Tolentino’s predecessor.

Of the board members, only POC auditor Chito Loyzaga and Charlie Ho of netball opposed the idea of removing the chair’s position. Ho and Hontiveros are the only officers not aligned with the ruling majority, having ran for their position under Tolentino’s rival for the presidency, archery chief Clint Aranas.