GA to decide on rules of POC election

The guidelines of the Philippine Olympic Committee elections will be presented before the general assembly on Oct. 3, marking the start of the campaign period for officials seeking a seat in the local Olympic body.

POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros said the 43 voting members will decide on the rules  for the Nov. 30 polls during the general assembly.

A debate transpired during the POC executive board meeting last week after first vice president Manny Lopez asked that the guidelines undergo the scrutiny of the general assembly instead of the POC top officials approving it right away.

Sources said officials argued whether to disqualify candidates from running as POC head if he or she is not an incumbent president of an Olympic NSA.

Besides the 40 regular NSAs, International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde and athletes Marestella Torres and Harry Tanamor comprise the general assembly.

POC president Jose “Peping’’ Cojuangco Jr. has already declared his bid to seek  a third straight term.

Hontiveros said thePOC has set Oct. 26 as deadline for the filing of candidates.