There was an original battle plan to host an early dinner, an informal gathering among national sports association heads. Initially scheduled for Oct. 15, this was postponed at the last minute.
Before word on the informal dinner got around, a top man of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) tried to make everything clear. Ricky Vargas, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, said he had no doubt whatsoever Pangilinan would go for the presidency of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“But it’s up to the national sports associations to show their readiness to seek change,” Vargas explained. He asked these NSA heads to come out in the open and pledge their support for MVP.
Otherwise, the status quo will remain, Vargas stressed.
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As could be expected, the Vargas declaration was viewed as a weakness on the part of the well-respected tycoon, popularly known as MVP.
MVP was silently accused of “playing it safe and loading weapons in his favor.”
One caller, squeaky and excited, had claimed his idol, POC president Peping Cojuangco, would go all out for reelection.
“Peping will fight MVP fair and square,” the caller phoned in. “But for the race to happen, MVP must first declare he’s running.”
He said he doubted MVP would run for POC president unless he’s able to validate that the majority would vote for him.
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By the way, the postponed allegiance dinner had been moved to Oct. 22. Originally set at the Meralco, a top MVP sports lieutenant said the dinner will be held at an undisclosed place.
“Am driving to Baguio, will text you when I get there,” he told your reporter here through a text message.
Last week, in a series of messages, the sports lieutenant explained they were in the process of validating several pledges of support for his boss.
He had also requested the outspoken POC critic, Go Teng Kok, to provide him a list of NSAs going with the athletics association president in support of MVP.
“Brod, I’m here in Bacolod,” the MVP lieutenant explained. “I got a txt from GTK urging MVP to run w/o the assurance of NSAs. Does this mean he was unable to get enough (NSAs) to commit?”
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That message was relayed to GTK who replied thus:
“Only a few NSA heads have sold their souls to Peping. The great majority is self-sufficient and can live on its own. Less than 10 NSAs are hostaged by Cojuangco’s vindictiveness. If MVP will come out to lead us against Peping the majority will stand and support him. Anybody but Peping.”
The GTK message was next sent to the MVP lieutenant.
“The problem is that even Art Macapagal was burned by pledges that went the other way in the last election,” the lieutenant explained.
He specified Pangilinan was never afraid to run.
MVP just honestly wanted no repeat of the treachery.
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Yesterday one message went the rounds. It came from Ms Nikki Coseteng, who’s leading a crusade against corruption in PH sports.
“Oh, my Merciful God. Maawa Kayo, have mercy on the athletes. Please help Manny Pangilinan win the POC presidency. Parang awa Ninyo naaa! From: Nikki”
Then, as we went to press, Go Teng Kok sent this rejoinder: “Mr. MVP, you know fully well PH sports badly needs a true and honest leader. Peping is no match compared to you. You must not wait for NSAs to come out in the open. They are just waiting for your go-signal and we will support you. I know the winning number. You will surely win and eventually become the Messiah of PH sports. You are the Chosen One.”
No word from the MVP camp.
It only means Manny V. Pangilinan, who has fought noble fights in the open, would readily agree to lead the revolution against corruption and put an end to the culture of treachery in Philippine sports.
All he needs is a covenant, not unlike a blood compact, with fearless revolucionarios.