MEETING in an informal discussion online, the Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board last Tuesday agreed in principle to raise the age limit to 78 for candidates running for
positions in the POC polls scheduled in November.
“We agreed to boost the limit to 78 from the 70 earlier proposed amendment in the POC constitution and by-laws,” said Billiards and Snooker Confederation of the Philippines secretary general Robert Mananquil, joined the meeting with 10 other board members of the 13-man board.
Also joining the caucus were POC chairman Steve Hontiveros, president and Rep. Bambol Tolentino, first vice president Joey Romasanta, secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes, treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go, board members Cynthia Carrion, Atty. Clint Aranas and boxing chief Ricky Vargas, who was present in his capacity as immediate past president, based on the POC charter.
Also joining the discussion were International Olympic Committee Executive Board member Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and triathlete Nikko Huelgas, a member of the POC Athletes Commission.
Absent were POC second vice president Col. (ret.) Jeff Tamayo and board member Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr.
Mananquil said the proposal amending the composition of the board remained unresolved since Tolentino and his allies were lukewarm to the idea of removing Vargas from the body.
“This was a stalemate once again because while the majority of the board wanted it, the two-thirds vote needed for the provision to pass was not mustered,” he said.
The billiards official said that Aranas also broached the proposal of limiting POC officials to two consecutive four-year terms, with an option of running again after a four-year break.
Those present during the meeting went over the other charter changes that were agreed upon during the special session of the board last July 24 and which will be ratified in the next formal meeting, ananquil.
“All of the matters taken up during the caucus are of course non-binding but need board formal board approval,” he stressed.
