Ilagan questions ‘illegal’ BSCP election

ARTURO Ilagan described as highly irregular the recent election of the Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines where he was replaced as president by billiards godfather Aristeo (Putch) Puyat.

Ilagan said the exercise was technically flawed from the start.

“Everything was illegal. First, only the president or the secretary general of the BSCP can call an election,” said Ilagan, citing the BSCP constitution and bylaws. “I didn’t call for any (election) and neither did (secretary general) Robert Mananquil.”

Ilagan, a former Gintong Alay official in the ’80s, claimed that there were only six board members present, including Efren “Bata” Reyes and Puyat himself.

He added that any notice of election should come 15 days before the actual proceedings.

“There was no quorum in that election and it wasn’t witnessed by the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee),” said Ilagan, adding that he, Mananquil, board member Robert Roque were not present  during the exercise.

Puyat said the BSCP was forced to hold an election following a series of complaints by the players against Ilagan.

The new BSCP has expanded its membership and elected Jimmy Chiongo as vice president, former North Cotabato representative Bernard Pinol as chair and Mahar Mangahas as treasurer.

Billiards manager Perry Mariano and Christine Caparras were both appointed secretary general.

There was no observer from the Philippine Olympic Committee when the election was held but POC spokesperson Joey Romasanta said the Olympic body will  recognize the new set of BSCP officers if there’s no formal objection from another party.