PUERTO PRINCESA. – The two votes the Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes Commission will cast during the POC polls this Friday are based on consensus and not on the individual preference of its members, according to POC Athletes Commission member Khing Lacuna.
“We in the POC Athletes Commission will vote on consensus and not on who we would like to vote as an individual,” Lacuna, a two-time Olympic swimmer, explained, adding this was the way the group voted in the POC election in 2020 together with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidylin Diaz-Naranjo.
He said that he, basketball player Jack Animan, boxer Nesthy Petecio, football player Inna Palacios, and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena will discuss who they will vote for.
Now the Pasig swimming program director, Lacuna said Obiena and Petecio will cast the group’s ballot during the POC polls at the East Ocean Restaurant in Paranaque City.
POC president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is seeking another four-year term against Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Chito Loyzaga.
Running under Tolentino’s ticket are basketball chief Al Panlilio for first vice president; pentathlon head Richard Gomez for second vice president; Jose Raul Canlas for treasurer; and volleyball secretary general Don Caringal for auditor.
Wrestling head Alvin Aguilar, jiu-jitsu’s Ferdie Agustin, canoe-kayak’s Leonora Escollante and Ali Sulit of judo are his bets as POC Executive Board members.
Loyzaga also has Panlilio and Canlas on his slate with squash head Robert Bachmann candidate for second vice president, and weightlifting’s Rod Roque for auditor.
His candidates for the board are Rep. Peter Miguel of archery, netball head Atty. Charlie Ho,Myrna Yao of gymnastics, and Steven Virata of equestrian.