Peping Cojuangco, allies rule POC polls

Four more years with Peping Cojuangco.

MANILA, Philippines — Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. officially earned a fresh four-year mandate as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee Friday.

Without any challenger, Cojuangco won a third straight term as POC chief, getting 32 votes from the 42 voting members during the elections held at Alabang Country Club.

“I’m given another four years and I want to make sure that this last four years as president of the POC, I could finally produce the result the people are expecting,” said Cojuangco, who will lead the POC until the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

It was a landslide victory for Cojuangco’s ticket, with Tom Carrasco of triathlon elected chair over POC chair Monico Puentevella, 21-18, and Joey Romasanta claiming the job of Manny Lopez as 1st vice president, 24-16.

“For the future of Philippine sports, we’ll cooperate with the result of the election and accept the decision of the majority,” said Lopez.

Jeff Tamayo of soft tennis was named 2nd VP over cycling chief and Tagaytay City mayor Abraham Tolentino, 24-15; POC treasurer Julian Camacho of wushu retained his post with 28 votes against Romeo Ribano’s (squash) 12.

Prospero Pichay of chess defeated Godofredo Galindez of golf, 28-12, as auditor while Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics (28 votes), Dave Carter of judo (29), Jonne Go of canoe-kayak (29) and Ernesto Echauz of sailing (23) earned seats in the executive board.