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BACOLOD CITY: A four-cornered fight among the country’s top sports
leaders looms in this year’s election for the Philippine Olympic
Committee presidency.
Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, who is the POC
first vice president, the other day formally declared his intention
to become the head of sports ruling body, saying though that he has
to discuss the matter yet with incumbent president Jose “Peping”
Cojuangco, who he claim is allied with his group.
“Yes, I intend to run in the coming election,
but first, I and Cong. Peping along members of our group must have
to talk,” Puentevella, who is also the head of the weightlifting
association, said, adding that Cojuangco himself could be running.
“As an incumbent I expect Cong. Peping to seek
a second term. So my running really depends on whether he will run.
I guess one of us must give way to solidify our forces,” he said
in reference to the president of the equestrian federation, younger
brother of former President Corazon Aquino.
Cojuangco, a former congressman himself
representing Tarlac, has been quiet though with regards to his
intention, saying repeatedly that it’s still too early to think of
the elections.
Also expected to seek the POC highest position,
Puentevella are current chair Robert Aventajado and past president
Celso Dayrit, Cojujangco’s predecessors.
“Both Robert [Aventajado] and Cito [Dayrit]
have signified their intentions to run, so I might as well, announce
my interest,” Puentevella, named chef de mission of the national
delegation to this year’s Beijing Olympics, told the sportswriters
covering the on-going PBA All-Star Weekend.
The POC elections are held December immediately
following the Olympic Games.
“While it’s true that it’s still early to
even think of running, I would just like to express that, indeed, I
am interested,” Puentevella told his audience during a small party
hosted by the PBA at the Sugarland Hotel.
-- Eddie G. Alinea
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