Philippines, 02 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


INSIDE SPORTS: POC COMELEC RULING IS LEGALLY FLAWED AND ETHICALLY QUESTIONABLE


PhilBoxing.com




The decision of the Philippine Olympic Committee commission on elections composed of Frank Elizalde as chairman, Bro. Bernie Oca of De La Salle and congressman Conrado Estrella Jr, chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Youth and Sports, in disqualifying Ricky Vargas from running against incumbent POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco who is seeking a fourth term as president is legally flawed and ethically seriously questionable.

In a series of self-serving rules that effectively were approved by Cojuangco and his henchmen in the POC General Assembly, Vargas was disqualified as they claimed the rules introduced primarily by Cojuangco barred any individual who sought the office of POC president from running for the highest office if he failed to attend at least fifty percent of the General Assembly meetings and that the sending of a representative was not enough.

This position appears strange because last Tuesday current POC vice president Joey Romasanta who is very close to Cojuangco, told us that there was no rule requiring Vargas to attend the meetings in order to be eligible to run for the POC top post but pointed out that in his opinion ?it?s the propriety of having been indifferent all of these times and not even offering any advice or criticism.?

However, when you use the word propriety, Cojuangco supporters are going to have a hard time defending the ?propriety? of seeking a fourth term as though there was nobody else qualified to seek the POC presidency. Surely fair play and justice, let alone fundamental integrity dictate that other qualified individuals who wish to help Philippine sports that has gone through one disaster after another even in the low-level Southeast Asian Games, be given a chance to face-off against Cojuangco who is 82 years old.

Being 81 ourselves we don?t ? and cannot truly consider Peping?s age a handicap because when he shook our hand at a recent TV 5 affair in a tribute to our Rio Olympic delegation, his grip was strong. Besides, he plays a round of golf once a week to stay in shape. Ranged against this is the fact that the International Olympic Committee Constitution demands that any candidate for the POC presidency must be not over 70 years of age.

The pertinent provision states:

3.3 Age limit: 3.3.1 Any IOC member ceases to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which he reaches the age of 70.

On the Extension of age limit: the rules state The Session may, on the proposal of the IOC Executive Board, extend the age limit for any IOC member who is not subject to the transitional provisions set forth in specific board resolutions which state "There may be no more than five such IOC members for whom the age limit is extended at any time. Any extension will be for up to a maximum of four years."

There is also a rule which states while the age limit is fixed at 70 there is an exception ?for members co-opted between 1966 and 1999, for whom the age limit is 80.?

Mr. Cojuangco doesn?t fall into that time frame. Another distressing aspect of this scandalous episode is that Frank Elizalde in flatly refusing to talk to us, a legitimate media practitioner with sound credentials who has been in the business for over 55 years, betrayed his abrasiveness and a warped mentality that did a terrible injustice to the respected Elizalde name. Perhaps he believes that our country is still under Spanish rule! Obviously ?Peping? and his dwindling number of cohorts felt threatened by the widespread demand for change under Vargas? leadership which has the unstinted backing of the eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan who currently supports no less than eight different sports and several presidents of National Sports Associations with the Football Association head Mariano Araneta who thought about seeking the office giving way and supporting Vargas.

Against the utter lack of class of Frank Elizalde, Ricky Vargas demonstrated his personal decency when he told us he didn?t wish to take the Elizalde Comelec decision to court because the IOC may claim it is government interference which it loathes and would therefore hurt Philippine sports. Ricky Vargas is truly a sportsman and more so a gentleman.

The Elizalde decision to disqualify Ricky Vargas is a blow against the development of Philippine sports and not merely undermines all that is progressive and good but tears at the fabric of the search for human excellence. How sad it is.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Pacman back into full-time boxing
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
    , Tue, 02 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Sep 2025
  • Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • "The Return" Weights from Detroit
    , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 Aug 2025
  • Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Laurente and Marapu Make Weight for IBF Regional Title; Gaballo Fights Tomorrow in Sanman Boxing Show in Gensan
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • IM Christian Arca sweeps 10-game simultaneous chess in IIEE SMRC in Davao City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY PRESENTS “I’M SWEET” FEATURING GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Traya, Bactol, De Barbo, Porres in Action in Highland Show in Thailand, live on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Bisutti, Panya Make Weight for UBO World Title in Highland Show on DAZN
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Turki Alalshikh the most influential boxing leader in United Kingdom
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Bambam will flight ‘clean & disciplined’ against Requito
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Ready to Blossom on the World’s Stage at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Sat, 30 Aug 2025
  • Traya eyes KO win against Thai tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025
  • Navarrete's Future in Question as He Resists Rematch with Charly Suarez
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 29 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.