IPINAHAYAG ni Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco na wala siyang planong pamunuan muli ang Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), sa gitna ng bulung-bulungan sa planong ‘kudeta’ laban kay POC chief Ricky Vargas.
Aniya, mas makabubuti sa Olympic body kung patatakbuhin ng mga batang lider na may tunay na interest sa pagunlad ng sports sa bansa.
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Inilabas ni Cojuangco ang damdamin bilang tugon sa samu’t saring isyu na magaganap sa POC Executive Council meetingkung saan personal na ipinahaya ni Vargas na haharapin niya ang Board upang pasubalian at sagutina ng mga paratang sa kanyang liderato, kabilang ang pagkakasangkot niya sa Phisgoc Inc. – isang hiwalay na organization na nagpapatakbo sa paghahanda sa 30th Southeast Asian Games hosting sa Nobyembre.
Iginiit ni Vargas na handa siyang pangatawanan ang mga naging desisyon sa nakalipas na General Assembly meetingkung saan binalasa niya ang mga committee chairmanship, gayundin ang pagpapatalsik kina Joey Romasanta at Monsour del Rosario – kilalang kaalyado ni Cojuangco – bilang Chef de Mission ng Team Philippines sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics at Manila SEA Games, ayon sa pagkakasunod.
Matatansaan tinalo ni Vargas si Cojuangco sa court-ordered election noong Marso 5, 2018, ngunit nanatili sa poder ang Board member na pawang kasama ni Cojuangco sa kanyang tiket.
“My name was always mentioned, but I am not interested in the POC presidency. I have done my part in sports and we have contributed enough, including the Philippines first and only overall championship in the SEA Games when we last hosted the Games in 2005,” pahayag ni Cojuangco sa isang opisyal na media statement.
“In fact, I am very supportive of Mr. Vargas,” aniya. “I met him several times since his election, shared with him my institutional knowledge and experiences and tried to guide him on issues. But I am being excluded from official SEA Games Federation affairs hosted locally for the Games. Although the Federation members apprised me of what transpired because they came to my house right after the events. But still, I am supporting the SEA Games but everything has to be in order.”
“And no, I am not seeking to oust Mr. Vargas. I am supportive of him. Everything has to be with the full of agreement of the POC Board, though, as provided by our rules and by-laws.”
Binawi ni Vargas ang naunang ipinatawag na Execom meeting ngayon at sinabing dadalo sa Execom na ipinatawag ng Board bukas bilang patunay na wala siyang itinatago sa Olympic body.
