By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Incumbent president Bambol Tolentino is seeking a fresh four-year mandate against archery chief Atty. Clint Aranas in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) elections at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Paranaque City Friday.
Tolentino became president in a special election last July 2019, a month after Ricky Vargas stepped down from his post.
Running under Tolentino’s ticket are triathlon’s Tom Carrasco (chairman), basketball’s Al Panlilio (first vice president), fencing’s Richard Gomez (second VP), gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion (treasurer), baseball’s Chito Loyzaga (auditor), and surfing’s Jose Raul Canlas, muay’s Pearl Managuelod, judo’s Dave Carter, and chess’ Butch Pichay for board members.
Aranas’ running mates are handball’s Steve Hontiveros (chairman), athletics’ Philip Juico (first VP), wushu’s Julian Camacho (treasurer), weightlifting’s Monico Puentevella (auditor), and netball’s Charlie Ho, billiards and snookers’ Robert Mananquil, soft tennis’ Jeff Tamayo and squash’s Robert Bachmann as board members.
Rugby secretary general Ada Milby is running as independent second VP although Aranas has adopted her in his ticket.
Tolentino hopes to continue the programs following a successful Southeast Asian Games in which the country was the overall champion.
His ticket also aims to strengthen the relationships with the national sports associations to enable them to become self-sustaining through strong partnerships with the private sector as well as the Philippine Sports Commission.
Aranas, on the other hand, is batting for transparency and accountability while seeking a stronger presence in helping NSAs to be self-reliant.
“We don’t sell hard. We are offering an alternative. So it is up to the officials what they really want. If you want this to continue or if you want some solutions, then you decide,” Aranas said.
