Peping Cojuangco’s daughter as PH’s IOC rep?

A FATHER-and-daughter tandem may be in the works in the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Frank Elizalde, who is retiring as International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines at the end of the year, could endorse retired champion equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski as his successor, sources told the Inquirer yesterday.

Cojuangco-Jaworski’s father is incumbent POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., who is running for a third straight term as head of the national Olympic body in November.

A reliable source said Elizalde’s preference for Cojuangco-Jaworski actually came a few months back during a POC expanded board meeting where a high-ranking POC official nominated the 38-year-old as the next IOC representative.

“He (Elizalde) honestly thinks Cojuangco-Jaworski can stand up against any competition for the position because of her inherent facility of expression and ability to articulate her thoughts,” said the source.

Elizalde, the second Filipino to assume the post after the late Jorge Vargas, has been an IOC member since 1985. He is pushing 80, the age of retirement for IOC members.

POC executive board members confirmed the possible endorsement of Cojuangco-Jaworski.

“Let Elizalde explain it. We don’t want to preempt him,” said POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros.