Election committee wraps up hearing on POC poll protests

MANILA – Election committee chairperson lawyer Teodoro Alejandro Kalaw IV gave contending parties in the upcoming Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections until noon of Nov. 23 to submit their summaries after hearing both sides during a clarificatory meeting Tuesday at Century Park Hotel in Manila.

Kalaw and committee member, Philippine Sports Commissioner Olivia Coo, heard four petitions for disqualification from the camps of incumbent POC president Abraham Tolentino and challenger Chito Loyzaga for the elections scheduled Nov. 29.

"With the summation, we could determine the merits of their protests," Kalaw said in a press statement.

Tolentino attended the hearing with his "Working Team" candidates for POC Board Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Alexander Sulit (judo) and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing) and POC secretary general Wharton Chan and head of legal Billy Sumagui.

Loyzaga was with Robert Bachmann (squash), Freddie Jalasco (wushu), Rommel Miranda (kurash) and gymnastics deputy secretary general Rowena Bautista.

Lawyer Lean Carlo Macoto of the Aranas Cruz Araneta Parker and Faustino Law firm presented some of the Loyzaga ticket's arguments but he, along with Loyzaga and Bachmann, left the proceedings before it was adjourned by Kalaw, leaving Jalasco and Eusuya to represent the group.

The four cases raised were the protest filed by Aguilar against Loyzaga for not meeting the active membership requirement based on his attendance in POC general assembly meetings; Bachmann's group against incumbent Tolentino for alleged failure to demonstrate accountability and transparency in financial reports; and the eligibility of Miranda and gymnastics's Myrna Lao, who are running for board seats.

Vovinam's Jose Ponciano Malonzo also attended the meeting to withdraw his protest against Bachmann's qualification for the second vice president post.

Tolentino didn't comment on the proceeding but stressed that the "POC election procedures must be followed."

San Juan de Letran Calamba rector and president Rev. Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, O.P., the third member of the election committee, excused himself from the hearing.

The POC has 61 voting members who will elect by secret balloting the president, first and second vice presidents, treasurer, auditor and five members of the executive board.

Others in Tolentino's team are basketball's Al Panlilio (first vice president), modern pentathlon's Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez (second vice president), surfing's Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (treasurer), volleyball's Don Caringal (auditor) and canoe-kayak's Leonora Escolante (executive board). (PNA)