By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Cavite Rep. and cycling chief Bambol Tolentino was reelected president of the Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday, receiving a fresh four-year mandate in the country’s highest governing body in sports.
Tolentino, also secretary general of chess, defeated archery head lawyer Clint Aranas 30-22 in an election held at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Paranaque City.
Also elected were handball’s Steve Hontiveros as chairman (28 votes), basketball’s Al Panlilio, first vice president (30), fencing’s Richard Gomez, second vice president (31), gymnastics’ Cynthia Carrion, treasurer (27), and baseball’s Chito Loyzaga, auditor (26).
Surfing’s Raul Canlas (36), muay’s Pearl Managuelod (31), netball’s Charlie Ho (28), and judo’s Dave Carter (27) were elected as board members.
“It is an honor to serve the Filipino athletes again,” said Tolentino.
“Definitely there will be a lot of surprises. For more than one year, we’ve shown a lot in helping our athletes. With four years especially with this team, definitely, there will be a lot of programs.”
Tolentino defeated athletics chief Philip Juico in a special election last July 2019, a month after Ricky Vargas stepped down from his post.
Tolentino hopes to continue programs following a successful Southeast Asian Games in which the Philippines won the overall championship.
His group also aims to strengthen the relationship with national sports associations and help them become self-sustaining through strong partnerships with the private sector as well as the Philippine Sports Commission.
“There will be lots of challenges especially next year with the Tokyo Olympics. This might be our year to get our first Olympic gold. We have to focus on that,” Tolentino said.
Aranas gracefully accepted defeat by congratulating Tolentino after he had reached the majority of 27 votes even while counting was not yet over.
“I wish the newly-elected officials the best of luck and with God’s blessings, I hope that they will promote sports to the best of their abilities,” he said.
Fifty-three of 54 voters cast their ballots with only table tennis absent in the proceedings. Among the 54 voters were 51 sports officials, Hidilyn Diaz and Jessie Lacuna as athletes’ representatives, and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.
