STYMIED by a divided Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board in the past, POC president Bambol Tolentino is banking on a big win, possibly a sweep, in the POC polls scheduled on Nov. 27.
“Tolentino wants all of his candidates in his ticket winning in November,” a source told Malaya-Business Insight a day after the incumbent POC chief announced the other members of his ticket last Saturday.
Others running under his banner are triathlon chief Tom Carrasco, gymnastics head Cynthia Norton, and baseball president Chito Loyzaga, who will run as chairman, treasurer and auditor, respectively.
Tolentino, the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines president and Tagaytay congressman, also named judo’s Dave Carter, muay thai’s Pearl Managuelod, surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas and Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. of chess as his candidates for board of directors.
He had earlier announced that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, who leads the fencing and modern pentathlon associations, as his running mates for first vice president and second vice president, respectively.
“Ours is a very good ticket of good governance and trust,” said Tolentino, who will be opposed by World Archery Philippines president Atty. Clint Aranas.
The former Government Surety Insurance System president and chief executive officer earlier announced that his running mates are POC chairman Steve Hontiveros, athletics chief Philip Ella Juico and rugby secretary general Ada Milby, who are running as first vice president and second vice president, respectively. He is expected to announce the rest of his slate within the week.
In seeking to sweep the November polls, Tolentino wants to avoid the previous experiences of the POC Board, whose recent decisions and deliberation often resulted in a deadlock.
Among the issues that were unresolved because a two-thirds majority vote could not be mustered were the charter amendments setting an age limit excluding candidates aged 70 and above from running for POC posts and the composition of the POC board.
This led to the POC retaining its election rules under the present POC charter.
