AS expected, boxing association head Ricky Vargas was disqualified from running for the presidency of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) because of attendance issues.
Vargas’s disqualification, and that of cycling’s Abraham Tolentino, who is seeking the chairmanship, was made official during the POC general assembly on Wednesday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.
Former International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde, who heads the POC elections body, announced Vargas and Tolentino’s disqualification, citing Article 7 of Section 11 of the POC Charter crafted early in incumbent President Jose Cojuangco Jr.’s 12-year reign, that bars candidates from running for chairman and president if they don’t regularly attend the general assembly.
Vargas’s spokesman, lawyer and former Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Salud, said they will seek for reconsideration on the disqualification.
“Mr. Vargas will definitely question his disqualification. He believes that he has all the qualifications to run for POC president,” Salud said. “It is unfortunate. The disqualification clearly disregards the principles of fair play and prejudices, not just the rights of Abap [Alliance of Boxing Associations in the Philippines] and Mr. Vargas, but the interest of Philippine sports, as well.”