POC elections to smoothen preparations for PH hosting of SEA Games

It’s going to be resigned Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chair Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino vs former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Philip Ella Juico for the POC presidency.

The winner, though, will be preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which has been stalled by organizational controversies exacerbated by the leadership vacuum in the POC.

Regardless of who wins between cycling chief Tolentino and athletics head Juico, the POC is expected to integrate with the “unity group” formed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) to oversee the preparations for the SEA Games.

Tolentino and Juico submitted their certificates of candidacy on Thursday. The elections will be held on June 28.

Tolentino is a known supporter of Phisgoc, which was incorporated during his time as POC chair while Juico said on Thursday his “immediate goal is to help ensure the success of the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games by working closely with the government through the PSC within the framework defined by the highest authorities.”

That includes working with the Phisgoc, which the current POC, temporarily run by 1st vice president Joey Romasanta, has distanced itself from.

“We just have to make sure that the tasks are well-defined and there is an official order to identify each party’s role so that no one oversteps their authority,” said Juico.

The launch of the unity group that will handle the SEA Games confirmed an Inquirer report that the POC will handle the technical side of the SEA Games, the PSC will oversee the financial aspect of the event and the Phisgoc will continue its work with sponsors and partners.

Joining Tolentino, a member of the House of Representatives from Cavite, are Robert Aventajado of taekwondo as chair with Cynthia Carrion of gymnastics and Monico Puentevella of weightlifting as board members.

Completing the cast of Juico’s ticket for the polls at Century Park Hotel in Manila are Steve Hontiveros of handball (chair) and board members Clint Aranas of archery and Lani Velasco of swimming.

“I’m officially running for (POC) president so that this (leadership) mess will be over,” said Tolentino, who served as chair under former POC president Ricky Vargas before the latter stepped down.