Philippines, 25 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


RICKY VARGAS SADDENED OVER HIS DISQUALIFICATION FROM RUNNING FOR POC PRESIDENT AGAINST COJUANGCO


PhilBoxing.com




The president of the Amateur Boxing Alliance of the Philippines Ricky Vargas has been saddened by his disqualification from running for president of the Philippine Olympic Committee against Jose "Peping" Cojuangco who is seeking an unprecedented fourth term.

The POC-Comelec committee headed by Frank Elizalde and composed of Bro. Bernie Oca of De La Salle University and congressman Conrado Estrella Jr, chairman of the House of Representatives Committe on Youth and Sports, disqualified Vargas and Bembol Tolentino of the Philippine Cycling Association who was seeking the chairmanship, on the claim that they had not attended various POC general assembly meetings which they alleged was a rule of the POC covering any officer seeking either the POC presidency or he chairmanship.

However, incumbent POC vice president Joey Romasanta, a close confidant of Cojuangco, told the Manila Standard on Tuesday that he did not wish to comment on the eligibility of Vargas which had been previously questioned by officials identified with Cojuangco because it would incur the ire of chairman Elizalde.

However, he told us he "didn?t think that there is a rule requiring a candidate to attend the various general assembly meetings in order to be eligible to run for the position of POC president."

Romasanta clarified he ?really couldn?t comment much because the Comelec has taken over jurisdiction? but that in his opinion ?it?s the propriety of having been indifferent all of these times and not even offering any advice or criticism? that was being questioned. However, Vargas said he had sent a representative to all the meetings.

In an overseas telephone conversation with The Standard, Vargas who is among the businessmen in Tokyo on the state visit of President Rody Duterte along with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan, the eminent businessman-sportsman who supports eight different sports, regretted that Elizalde "who has such a prominent name can't comprehend the soundness of our position" which is basically to help Philippine sports with the "silent majority telling us, it's about time we do something" to correct the present disastrous situation in Philippine sports as highlighted by the disastrous showing in the Southeast Asian Games.

Vargas said he was "still hoping for some sense of reason" even as he revealed that Mr. Pangilinan was "upset" with the developments and had "given him the courage" to continue the fight but that he personally "doesnt want to go to court because I don't want the country to suffer because "the IOC may say it's a sign of government interference."

Romasanta believes that the fight for the POC presidency may evolve into a corporate battle claiming that ?they have the resources and can hire high-priced lawyers.? Eminent businessman ? sportsman Manny Pngilinan, president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas who supports eight different sports is supporting the candidacy of Vargas.

Former PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud, the spokesman of Vargas, said he would "definitely question his (Vargas') disqualification. He believes he has all the qualifications to run for POC president and none of the disqualifications."

Salud said "it is unfortunate the disqualification clearly disregards the principle of fair play and prejudices not just the rights of ABAP and Mr. Vargas but the interest and welfare of Philippine sports as well."

Salud indicated the lawyers are "preparing the remedies available to Mr. Vargas and will determine whether it is pointless or futile to ask the election committee and the POC executive board for a reconsideration of the disqualification."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.