Ricky Vargas beats Peping Cojuangco for POC presidency

POC has elected a new president. Photo from Marc Reyes/INQUIRER

Boxing chief Ricky Vargas bested incumbent president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. by a wide margin to become the next Philippine Olympic Committee president in a much-anticipated elections Friday held at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Vargas gained 24 votes from the 43 qualified voters that included national sports associations and athletes, while the 83-year-old Cojuangco could only muster 15 votes.

READ: Peping camp claims he’s got number to win

Vargas’s running mate Bambol Tolentino of cycling also won the post as chair, beating Ting Ledesma of table tennis, 23-15.

Vargas group starts celebrating pic.twitter.com/FYRhmDIGM5

— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) February 23, 2018

Right away, Vargas said they will go all out for the athletes and push for campaign in the August Asian Games and the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games next year.

READ: Ramirez warns POC: Resolve leadership row

Cojuangco was the longest serving POC chief having assumed the position in 2004, winning four terms until a court ordered the Olympic body to allow Vargas and Tolentino to run for post.

Andyan na kami ni chairman tolentino, we are committted kami sa atleta — Vargas pic.twitter.com/wsHbfRsXED

— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) February 23, 2018

Both Vargas and Tolentino were barred from running last Nov. 25, 2016 on account of POC ruling that requires candidates to be present in majority of the General Assembly meetings for the past two years.

READ: Real ‘battle’ happens on POC General Assembly, not on Feb. 23 polls

Immediately, the POC commission of elections composed of Frank Elizalde, Alberto Agra and Bro. Bernie Oca declared Vargas as president, serving the remaining term of Cojuangco which is until 2020.

This is how the POC elections went pic.twitter.com/PcworKLMQY

— Marc Anthony Reyes (@marcreyesINQ) February 23, 2018