Look who’s pleading with the IOC

Given a firmer, if unkind, twist last Tuesday’s headline could’ve also read: Majority unsure of P-Noy.
It was asked if the President will succeed.
The resounding reply, mainly from our chaotic streets: It’s too early to tell.
“Nearly 7 of 10 (68 percent) say it is too early to say if President Aquino’s six-year term will end in success or failure,” the Inquirer reported.
The figure was based on the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey.
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The survey was conducted to coincide with President Aquino’s first year in office.
Yes, unsure.
But turning to Philippine sports, this was exactly the opposite with Go Teng Kok, president of the national track and field association, some happy months ago.
Go, or GTK, was what we may call Mr. Sureball, the go-to guy at the Philippine Olympic Committee.
He would be at the forefront whenever they would suffer snags in regional schedules and commitments.
He was so visible, so reliable at the POC, it would not be an exaggeration to label GTK Peping Cojuangco’s favorite, a trusted henchman.
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You see it’s also open knowledge Cojuangco retained the POC presidency by the slimmest of margins in their last poll through Go’s bold all-out backing.
Cojuangco, in return, tried to repay the favor.
You could swear the two national sports officials were enjoying a honeymoon of sorts.
Then, all of a sudden, things soured up for the ever-reliable GTK.
He got kicked in the butt following a turmoil over the presidency in the national karatedo association.
Go went to court to contest the karatedo presidency, which he claimed had been illegally taken from him.
Next he knew, Go has been declared persona non grata at the POC.
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Actually, Go wanted to join the group headed by former Sen. Nikki Coseteng when they went to the Office of the Ombudsman to file malversation charges last week.
Of course, what Go really wanted was to elevate his case to as high as the International Olympic Committee.
Here’s one message Go sent to Frank Elizalde, the Philippine representative to the IOC:
“Buenas dias, Señor Frank. The POC Board is composed of people who are involved in various irregularities and are facing corruption charges. Camacho has been accused of collecting ghost coaches’ fees, Puentevella can’t liquidate and return excess funds used in Bacolod during the 2005 SEA Games. Now Mark Joseph has been charged before the Ombudsman for graft and other violations. Romasanta is facing cases before the Pasig courts for his illegal takeover of karatedo.”
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Go did not get any reply.
So he fired off another desperate message:
“Señor, how can these people advise Mr. Cojuangco correctly when their honesty and integrity are being questioned? There has been no election in weightlifting for six years. The same is true in swimming for eight years now. And yet, they want me out of POC for only asking due process.”
Elizalde would not give a damn.
But GTK won’t give up.
He’s now turning to the IOC itself.
“Señor Elizalde,” Go pleaded, “you are the only remaining sober mind in the POC and I know you carry the Olympic spirit of fair play and justice in your person. I hope you do something to inform the IOC about the corrupt and foul things happening in Philippine sports. Gracias, Señor!”
It’s very unlikely Elizalde would listen to Go.
Meanwhile, allow me to offer space in my next column for whatever reply national sports officials criticized by Go Teng Kok may deem necessary to see print.
God bless Philippine sports.